Obituary--Mrs. Alma Darling

Here is another obituary from the "Mrs.Robertson" era.  The obituary here is not attributed to her, but one of the paragraphs is similar in style enough to bring her to mind, although not from the region she usually covered.  It is always interesting to me to see how many of our residents and pioneers came to Michigan from so many parts of the country.  Mrs. Darling was one of the early citizens of the Fremont, but her roots were in Vermont.  I always want more information that the obituary gives me on these journeys here.


From the 19 April 1917 Fremont TimesIndicator first this notice from the community (gossip) column:

Mrs. Alma Darling passed away at her home, 104 Division Ave. north, yesterday after an illness of several weeks.


Then the following week, 26 April 1917, were these two further notices in the TimesIndicator:

The VanWingerden, Cochrane and Tibbitts families attended the funeral of their aunt, Mrs. Alma Darling in Fremont last Saturday.

And finally the regular obituary:


MRS. ALMA DARLING
Mrs. Alma Darling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arza Tibbits, was born in the state of Vermont June 4, 1843.  At the age of 12 years she moved with her parents to Newaygo county and settled on what is now the Rozema farm near Fremont Lake.  On December 25, 1863, she was united in marriage to James H. Darling with whom she shared her happiness for nearly 40 years.  Mr Darling passed away May 21, 1903.
To them were born three children, namely, Mrs. Brittie M. Gibson; who survives; Willard, who died at the age of six years, and Ralph, who died at the age of one a a half years.
Mrs. Darling became a member of the Congregational church in 1891, and was also a member of the Eastern Star.  She led an active christian life and was always ready to be of service to those in trouble.
With her decease another pioneer has gone.  Having come here when a young girl at a time when this territory was still a wilderness, living here more than 60 years, she has seen the growth and advancement of Fremont from its beginning to its present prosperous condition.
For the past eight years Mrs. Darling's health has been impaired and for several months she has gradually failed and death came April 18 at the age of 73 years, 10 months and 15 days.
Besides her daughter, she is survived by an adopted son, Edward Darling, and wife, of Cedar Rapids Iowa.
The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the home, 104 Division Ave. N., Rev. F. W. Magdanz, pastor of the Congregational church officiating.  Interment in Maple Grove cemetery.

Such a riches of information on Mrs. Darling.  Birth date and place, children's names, and even the names of other relatives from the gossip column notice.  Her family name even graces a street here in town, a sure sign that the Darling family was a leader in the town.