The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-07-17
DIR. SHURICK
 PASSES AWAY
After an Illness Extend ing Over Several Years

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 munity Sunday evening when it be- came known that Dr. Shurick had passed away at his home on Church street. His death was not unex- pected as he had been in failing health for more than three years, during which time every possible effort was made to restore him to health. First he visited an eminent specialist in Philadelphia. Later he was hospitalized and spent some time in the Veterans Hospital at Walla Walla, Wash. Believing that a drier climate might improve his condition he was transferred to the Veterans Hospital at Whipple, Ari- zona,, where he remained for several months Finding that his condition did not improve in Arizona he de- cided to return to Ketchikan.
 Realizing that the end was near, Dr. Shurick recently expressed the wish to return to Wrangell and pass his last days among the people with whom he had lived during the best years of his life. On June 19 he was brought from Ketchikan to Wrangell by airplane Although it was apparent that his condition was hopeless he seemed cheered a bit by receiving calls from old friends with whom he had been intimate in by gone years.
 On Sunday his condition became worse and Dr. Edwards, the attend ing physician, notified the family that the end was matter of hours. Death occurred at o'clock in the evening and was caused by chronic Liberated larynx.
 Before his death Dr. Shurick ex- pressed the wish that he be given a Masonic funeral. In accordance with this wish the officers of Ket- chikan lodge came to Wrangell on the Cygan for the purpose of con- ducting the funeral obsequies in ac- cordance with the solemn formali- ties of the Masonic fraternity. The Masons who came from Ketchikan were as follows: Raymond G. Hall, M. J. Bucey, J. H. Rolie, pr. R. V. Ellis, Axel Carlson, Rev. Clyde L. Walker, B. L. Sampson.
 The funeral occurred in the Red mems hall at o'clock Tuesday af- ternoon. Preceding the ritualistic ceremonies by the Masons there was a short and appropriate service in which the entire town was repre- scented. A community choir sang Come Ye Disconsolate, and Face to Face with Christ My Saviour" Prayer was offered by Dr. Robert Joseph Diven and a beautiful trib- ute to the departed was delivered by the Rev. H. P. Corser, after which Mrs. M. o. Johnson sang Face to Face" by special request
 The Masonic funeral service was conducted by Worshipful Master Raymond G. Hall or Ketchikan Lodge No. 159 About 15 local Ma sons joined with Ketchikan brothers in the ritualistic ceremony. Inter- ment was made in Redmen's ceme- tery where he was laid to rest be- side his mother who passed away in Wrangell several years ago. The pail bearers were Past Master 0. H. Whaley, Donald Sinclair, George H. Barnes, L. M. Campbell, F. T. Rich field, J. w. Pritchett.
 At the grave the casket. was sur rounded by Masons who went through the solemn ceremony of committing the body to the tomb. The prayers were made by the Rev. Clyde Walker, the lodge chaplain.
 A very large number of beautiful floral pieces had been brought by loving friends. These were placed on the grave, and when the sorrow ing group departed from the ceme- tery they left their brother sleeping beneath wilderness of flowers.
 Shelby Collum Shurick was born in Dawson. Illinois, September 26, 1877. A portion of his early life was spent in St. Louis. Before reaching maturity he chose the medical profession as his Iife's yo- cation. Between 25 and 30 years ago he came to Alaska, settling on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. A little later he moved to Wrangell. Tn 1908 he was married to Mrs. Kate Nelson, daughter of MT. and Mrs. w. D. Grant. When the United States entered the World War Dr. Shurick volunteered. He was accepted and spent several