The Sigel Advocate, Sigel, Illinois LEVI LAFAYETTE BAKER, oldest son of the late Jesse and Martha I Rentfrow Baker, was born on the old Baker homestead north of Sigel, Oct. 15, 1859, and departed this life at his home east of Sigel, Saturday August 16, at 1:50 p.m. at the age of 70 years 10 months and 1 day. A few months ago he became afflicted with an _____ _____ which he suffered untold agony and pain for many weeks and which caused him to be sightless. All that medical skill and loving hands could do proved of no avail.  He bore his afflictions and suffering with great patience and fortitude, realizing that although this earthly tabernacle be dissolved he had a builder whose Maker was God! and when conscious expressing himself, "that he was willing and ready to go." He was married to Miss Anna Luedke Dec. 7, 1882, and to this happy union 6 children were born: 3 sons and 3 daughters five of whom survive him. His second daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. C.D. Brown) having preceded him in death on April 13, 1928. After his marriage he lived his entire life at his home east of Sigel, where they reared their family and brought them up in the Christian faith. Mr. Baker was a devoted member of the Church of Christ, having united with the Church early in life, and died in the faith of a "Resurrected Redeemer."  He was of a most pleasing and jovial disposition, delighting in the companionship of his family and his many friends. He was conscientious for the right as he saw it. His ideals were high and his life exemplified the highest type of citizenship. His love of home his devotion to his wife and children are all characteristic of the life he lived. His earthly career has ended but his pleasing manner and kindly influence will continue to live on and on in the hearts of his Loved Ones left behind, who call him Father. He leaves to mourn his departure a heart broken wife, 5 children, Martha (Mrs. Henry Lanphier) of Mattoon, Philip Minnie (Mrs. Earl Whitaker), Grover C. and Earl C. all of near Sigel; 22 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Mary C. Bigler, two brothers Edward L. and Jess I., all residing near Sigel, besides a host of other relatives and friends. "They never quite leave us - the friends who have passed, Through the shadow of death to the sunlight above. A thousand sweet memories are holding them fast. To the place they blessed with their presence and love. The funeral services were held in the community Church in Sigel Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 2:00 p.m.  Conducted by Eld. I.V. Morgan of Mattoon, with interment in Sigel Cemetery. The services were largely attended, many attending from a distance. The floral offerings representing number of relatives and friends, were very beautiful showing the high esteem in which he was held. They were carried by Anna Catherine Lanphier, Mildred Baker, Ruth Sterr, Mrs. Frank Wilkins, Eleanor Mense, Evelyn Baker, Mrs. Wm. Bolen and Mrs. L.C. Siemer, all close relatives and friends of the deceased.  The pall bearers were: Jos. Luedke, Arthur Mense, LeRoy Baker, Keith Bigler, Kenneth Baker, all nephews, and Wm. Bolen grand son in law. "Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the City." "Levi was noted for his singing, even though he could not speak without stuttering. After the telephone was installed Levi's neighbors would take their phones off the hook and Levi would sing to them on Sunday afternoons" ..Submitted by Raylene Lamb

MRS. MARGARET ELIZABETH BURNETT, widow of Benjamin F. Burnett died at her home in Joppa, Illinois last Friday, February 3. Funeral services were held at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. John E. Attey, pastor of the Joppa circuit. The casket bearers were: Dick Shaffer, Barney Elderbush, Louis Whitelock, Raymond Shaffer, Thomas Talor and Gilliam Johnson. Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery. The following obituary was read at the funeral. Margaret Elizabeth Burnett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Oliver, was born June 29, 1851, and ceased the walks of this life February 3, 1933, all the days of her pilgrimage being eighty-one years, seven months and five days. Grandma Burnett (as she was known) was united in holy matrimony August 21, 1881, to Mr. Benjamin Franklin Burnett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Atchael Burnett. To this union were born five children, two boys and three girls, namely Charles, of Vienna; Grover, of near Joppa, with whom she was making her home at the time of her death; Mrs. Leona Brazmer of Milan, Ill; Mrs. Eva Scroggins and Mrs. Augusta Wood. Those of her immediate family who have preceded her in death were her husband, who departed two daughters, Mrs. Scroggins and this life November 24, 1909, and Mrs. Wood.  Those who remain to mourn their loss are two sons, Charles and Grover; one daughter, Mrs. Leona Brazmer; forty-four grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. However, we do not mourn as those who have no hope, for we expect to see her again. Mrs. Burnett was converted at an early age, during a revival meeting held at Tucker's Chapel. Later she united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Oak Grove and remained true to that faith until the end came. On the evening before she died the following morning she expressed her desire to partake of the sacrament of the Lord's supper, which was administered by her pastor, who was with her during her last hours, and was well with her soul and that she was ready for the change. Servant of God, well done. The glorious warfare is past, The battles fought, the race is won, And thou art crowned at last.....Submitted by Diane Burnett

The Sigel Advocate, Sigel, Illinois MRS. ANNA LUEDKE BAKER,was born northeast of Sigel, Ill., in Cumberland county, Feb. 11, 1866, and passed away at the family home near Sigel at 6 o'clock p.m. June 11, 1937, at the age of seventy-one years and four months.  She was married to Levi L. Baker Dec. 7, 1882 at Effingham, Ill., and soon after their marriage they moved to their home east of Sigel, where they had since resided until separated by death, her loving companion having passed away Aug. 16, 1930.  They reared a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom survive to mourn the loss of a devoted and loving mother, except the second daughter, Elizabeth (Mrs. C. D. Brown) who passed away April 13, 1928.  They also bestowed their paternal love and affection upon five of their grandsons left motherless by the death of their daughter.  She will not only be greatly missed by her own dear children, but doubly so by the Brown children, and especially Leslie and Lyle, whom she had mothered and tenderly cared for as her very own for these many years.  Mrs. Baker was a member of the Church of Christ, having with her husband united with that church early in life, and they reared and brought their children up in that Faith.  She was of a very kind and loving disposition, always doing for others.  Her's was the quiet home life, and it seemed to be her chief delight to make those about her happy, and to this end she toiled faithfully and went about doing good.  She will not only be greatly missed by her immediate family but as well by all her realtives, friends and neighbors by whom she was held in the highest esteem.  The funeral services were held at the Community Church in Sigel, Sunday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, June 13, 1937, conducted by Rev. I.V. Morgan of Mtatoon, and was very largely attended by many sorrowing relatives and friends.  Interment was in Sigel cemetery beside her loving husband.  The flowers were profuse and beautiful and were carried by granddaughters and nieces: Marie, Sarah, Lucille Baker, Lois Whitaker, Mrs. Frank Wilkins, Eleanor Mense, Mrs. Lee Hutchings and Mrs. Arthur Mense.  The pall bearers were grandsons: Robert, Earl Jr., Paul Baker, Kenneth and Gleenn Brown, Donald and Keith Whitaker, and William Bolin.  She leaves to mourn, five children: Martha (Mrs. Henry Lanphier) of Mattoon, Minnie (Mrs. Earl Whitaker) of Neoga, Philip, Grover and Earle, all of near Sigel, twenty-eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Mary Leffler of Stewardson, and one brother, Charles Luedke of Mattoon, besides a host of other relatives and friends. ....Submitted by Raylene Lamb

MRS. ORA G. WOODS, wife of Oscar Woods, died at her home in Fairmount Monday after a short illness from influenza.  She was 28 years old, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Burnett of the Choat neighborhood. Besides her husband she leaves five small children to mourn her death. Funeral services were held at the residence Tuesday. Burial was at Oak Grove cemetery near Choat.(She died February 10, 1919 in Metropolis, IL).....Submitted by Diane Burnett

CHICAGO DAILY NEWS    December 29, 1884  538 13th Place, GRACE HENNESSY  beloved wife of Timothy Hennessy, native of the Parish of Ballylanders, County Limerick, Ireland, aged 55 years. Funeral Tuesday, Dec. 30, by carriages to the Northwestern Depot, thence by cars to Calvary Cemetery  *Note:Death certificate:Died of typhoid pneumonia.(ill two weeks). Had resided in the state for 20 years.....Submitted by Carole

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