This section of Iowa lost one of its best women on Sunday, March 5, 1922, when Mrs. George Allender died at her home four miles north of Lockridge. She was sick but a little while with her fatal illness which was heart trouble, though she had been afflicted with weakness of the heart for several years. Her end came unexpectedly to her friends and neighbors. Deceased was before her marriage, Jane Messer, a daughter of John and Rhoda (Miller) Messer, and was born in Henry County, Iowa in October 1853. In 1874 she and George Allender were united in marriage. She was ever to him a true and faithful companion.
Five children came to gladden their home. Four, Stella, Rebecca, Lincoln and John Alvin, have departed this life. The remaining son, Lawrence Allender, resides on a farm north of Lockridge. Four grandchildren also remain. There are two brothers, Simon and Alvin Messer, and two sisters, Mrs. Rebecca A. Olinger and Mrs. Mary Scarff, all of Rome, who are left of her father’s family. She was converted forty seven years ago at South Richwoods and always lived an earnest and consistent Christian life. All who knew her reposed the utmost confidence in her. She will be greatly missed in her home and neighborhood.
Funeral services conducted by F. Weston, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant were held on Tuesday. After a short service at the home, the ore extended service was held in the church at White Oak.
There was a large gathering of relatives and old acquaintances. Mrs. Spencer Kinney, Mrs. Hugh White and Mr. Weston, with Miss Fern Hopkirk as accompanist, sang “Asleep in Jesus,” “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” and “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.” The text was 1 Thess, 4:14, the pall bearers were Pete Ensminger, and Zion; Orville, Cephus, Christopher and Sheridan Messer. Interment was in the White Oak Cemetery.
Mt. Pleasant Daily News, March 8, 1922
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
