William K. Stuckey 1868 - 1905

STUCKEY

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 3/3/2006 at 20:34:31

6/22/1905 Wayland News

Though it was expected that sooner or later Mr. Stuckey must yield to that dread disease, tuberculosis, from which he had been suffering for several months past, few ere expecting the end to come so soon. However, at 10:30 Saturday night, his spirit took its flight.

William A. Stuckey was born in Woodford County, Illinois November 15, 1868. He died June 10, 1905, having spent 36 years, 6 months, and 26 days on “God’s footstool”. His health had been failing for some time but he continued at his work until March 11, just three months before his death. April 18, he came home to Olds, having made his home with his brother, Joe, in Kansas City, Missouri for the past three years.

When fourteen years of age he confessed his Savior, was baptized, and united with the Mennonite Church at Washington, Illinois. Since that time he has associated himself with other churches when no convenient to his own, but remained true to his vows to the end.

He received his education in the common school near Washington, Illinois, the Business College at Lincoln, Nebraska, and the School of Telegraphy of the same place and the Polytechnic School at Peoria. His first position was in the county clerk’s office at Lexington, Nebraska, as deputy. The next in the county treasurer’s office with his father at Kearney, Nebraska, and next, as a clerk for V. C. Chase in a clothing store at Kearney. He passed a Civil Service examination but never applied for a position. For three years he worked in the Cudahy office in South Omaha where his health began to fail and he resigned and went to Denver, Colorado for a few months. Here he regained in a large measure his health and went to Kansas City, accepting a position with the Armour Packing Company as a bookkeeper which place he filled until March 11, 1905.

He leaves his parents, three sisters, and three brothers, one sister and one brother having gone before, and many relatives to mourn his departure.

Mr. Stuckey was a young man of beautiful character, quiet by nature, conscientious, almost to a fault, a sincere Christian. Several times during his last illness when some member of the family would step into his room unannounced, they would find him kneeling with hands clasped in silent prayer.

The funeral service was held at the home of his parents in this place Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. Mussellman of Wayland preaching the funeral sermon and Rev. McCleery assisting in the service. A large gathering of friends from Wayland and this community were present, thus expressing their sympathy with the bereaved family.

The body was taken Wednesday morning on the Central to Washington, Illinois and interred in the cemetery at that place. Rev. Stuckey, Edward, Thomas, Alvina, and Adah, also Rev. Musselman and Peter Rich of Wayland accompanied it.