contributor: Richard LaBrosse

 
July 29, 1933  

We are again called upon to chronicle the passing of a highly esteemed resident of the city with the death of Mrs. David Laughlin at her home on Washington Avenue on Saturday morning at 9:30 o'clock. Mrs. Laughlin had been ill for about twelve weeks, but confined to her bed for only about two weeks past, although she had been quite frail for the past few years.

Mrs. Laughlin was born Mary Agnes Barney on August 14, 1862 in Governor, New York. She came to Wisconsin with her parents when a small child, and on August 5, 1883 was united in marriage to David Laughlin in the town of Oconto. The Laughlins would have celebrated their golden wedding day on Saturday of this week had death not intervened. In two weeks she would have attained her 71st birthday.

The Laughlins came to Oconto Falls about 27 years ago and they have made many warm friends during these years. Besides her husband Mrs. Laughlin is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Chester Rice of Iron Mountain, Michigan, three brothers, James, John and Charles Barney of Brookside and four grandchildren Laura and Harvey Grismer and June and Elton Rice. A son and a daughter died in infancy.

Mrs. Laughlin was a long time member of the Ladies of the Grand Army and for many years an officer of McKinley Circle. She was a faithful attendant at the activities of the circle and she will be greatly missed by her sisters. The circle officers conducted the ritualistic memorial rites of the order at one pm on Tuesday and also took charge of the funeral.

Friends and relatives gathered at the home at one thirty Tuesday and from there the cortege moved to the Methodist Episcopal church where the Rev. V.T. Nearhoof conducted the services at two pm. Burial took place in the Brookside cemetery. Pallbearers were Messrs. Henry Plier, Leslie Halsted, Yarwood Matravers, Roland Rice, L. Holmes and Paul Wendt.

While we would not have her called back to the sufferings of the world, we shall all miss her and sympathize sincerely with the bereaved husband and daughter, for whom there will be a vacant place always.

Relative and friends from out of town attending the rites were Mr. and Mrs. James Parkinson and brother Truman of Green Bay; Mrs. Eva Melody and family of Oconto; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sampson and family of Fond du Lac; Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Christenson of Suring; Dr. and Mrs. R.C. Faulds of Abrams; James and Charles Barney of Brookside; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Rice and family of Iron Mountain; P.C. Walls and son Ted, Mrs. Fred Meyers, Mrs. John La Fave and son Abraham, Mrs. Grant Matravers, Mrs. Wilbur Bibby, Raymond Moody and Oscar Johnson, all of Brookside; and Peter Lucas and Mrs. Dauit of Lent.