KEGGLEY, Jane Ellen (Doty)

FROM OVER THE COUNTY.

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SMITH’S VALLEY.

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Mrs. Jane Keggly [sic], or Aunt Jane as she was familiarly called by friends and relatives, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 27th [sic]. She had suffered patiently for several weeks, but bore it all with Christian fortitude and was ready and willing to meet her Savior who had always led her through her declining years. She will be 72 years old next June and was born and raised on the farm where she resided. She was the mother of six children all of whom still survive her—three boys and three girls. All were present when she passed away except one who had just left for his home in Iowa the day before her death. Her death is a sad blow to her children and relatives as they all could go to mother for comfort and counsel. She was a kind friend an indulgent mother an obliging neighbor. She was a member of the Christian church and died in a living faith. She leaves a sister, Aunt Sallie Doty, who resides at her niece’s, Mrs. Senna Orm Paddack. Aunt Sallie was 81 years old last Sunday and deeply mourns the loss of her sister, although she is aware that according to nature ’ere long she will join glad hands with those gone before on that other shore. The relatives and friends have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement. Bro­ther McCalum conducted the funeral services reading from Second Corin­thians, 5th chapter to 12 ves. His text was Luke 12 chapter and 40th verse, “Be ye therefore ready also for the son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” A beautiful text yet a solemn warning to watch for His com­ing that we may be prepared at a moment’s warning. The funeral was largely attended.

The Franklin Democrat, Friday, November 22, 1889,
Volume XXX Number 22, page 4 column 3

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OBITUARY.

Mrs. Jane Kegley [sic] died October 23rd, 1889, in the seventy-second year of her age. She was sick five weeks, but bore her suffering with Christian patience, never murmuring a word. All that loving friends and willing hands could do was done but none could stay the disease and death claimed another precious mother. Her death was a sad loss to her children and many times in life has her willing hands and kind words smoothed the rough places and made home a place of joy for her children which she delighted so much in having them come to see her, but her work on earth is finished, her voice is calling from a better land to her chil­dren bereaved of a mother’s love and council that they have one less on earth and one more in heaven. May God in tender mercy guide and direct those left behind that they may meet that mother where parting is known no more, for Jesus says, “I have traveled all the way through the valley of the shadow of death and I have returned to tell you it is safe to those that follow me.” The aged mother, who died in faith with her children and grandchildren around her to receive her parting blessing, shall appear the same in resurrection morn. Think of heaven as a home; think of waking up beyond the grave and find­ing yourself in full possession of such a life with all the horrors and agonies of death behind and nothing but blessed­ness and glory for you to enjoy forever. The voice of Jesus comes ringing, like the trumpet of victory, through all the depths of the soul. Weep not I have the keys of death to him that over-cometh; I will give a crown of life. The funeral services [were] con­ducted by Rev. McCullun, pastor of the Christian church, at Mt. Pleasant.

Link to Jane Ellen (Doty) Keggley’s grave

Note: The Johnson County Indiana WPA Death Index, 1882–1920, page 109, referencing Book H-15, page 28, records that Jane Kegley [sic], a seventy-one-year-old white female, died 23 Oct 1889 in White River Township.

Submitted by Mark McCrady, Cathea Curry and Lois Johnson