14 July 2012

Obituarie--Cassius and Mary Bunker

This is a touching obituary, where a long time couple, died within a few hours of each other.  I have seen that often in reviewing the old obituaries.  One of my set of great-great-grandparents, William and Abigail Brown Cross, died withing a couple weeks of each other.  (If I could find an obituary, I would share that here.)  But where my family members died as result of a house fire and smoke inhalation, these two devoted people died of illness and a heart ailment. 


From an undated, un-named paper with only 1937 handwritten on the top:


Man and Wife Die Three Hours Apart
Years of Devotion End for Mr., Mrs. Bunker of Bailey

Bailey, Feb 1--(Special)--Many years of devotion to each other ended here Sunday when Mrs. Mary Bunker, 74 years old, died at her home at 6 A. M., and her husband Cassius Bunker, 76 years old, a retired merchant, died three hours later.
Mrs. Bunker had suffered from a heart ailment for three years and much of the time she had been confined to her bed.  With patient solicitude, Mr. Bunker cared for his wife until two weeks ago when he became suddenly ill.  A week later he also became confined to his bed.
The aged husband became unconscious Saturday.  He did know know that his wife had died.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bunker had lived in Muskegon county nearly all their lives and had been residents of this community for many years.
When Mr. Bunker became ill and was no longer able to care for his wife, Mrs. Howard Seccomb of Lansing, the only daughter of the couple, came to keep a bedside vigil.  When she was unable to be at the parental home, Mrs. Carl Pendell of this community stayed there.
Double funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Church of Christ of which Mrs. Bunker was a charter member, with Rev. Frederick Pinch, pastor of the Newaygo Congregational church, conducting.  Burial will be made in Seaman, hear here.  The bodies will lie in state at the church from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday. 
Mrs. Bunker is survived by one sister, Mrs. Clare Reeves of Addison, and three brothers, John Davis of Traverse City, and Joseph and George Davis both of Bailey.  Mr. Bunker is survived by one brother, Miles Bunker of Muskegon.

Since this came to us by way of a visitor, and not from the microfilm, I suspect this is perhaps from one of the Grand Rapids newspapers.  Bailey is a very small community and  located quite a distance from the nearest larger towns.  Muskegon and Grand Rapids are quite a distance, and since Bailey south of Newaygo county.  Although it is in Muskegon county, Grand Rapids is closer, and if I were a relative searching further, I would look at Muskegon county vital records, but also look in the Grand Rapids newspapers for information on this family. 
Sometimes, it helps knowing the area.

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