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Coffin, Alice – 1848-1888

COFFIN, SKIFF

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:33

Death of Miss Alice Coffin – Again has death entered our midst and taken from among us one whom we have all known so long, and who, in an unusual degree, has enjoyed the confidence, love and esteem of all our people. Last Saturday evening at the home of V. W. Skiff, after long suffering from Bright’s disease, Miss Alice Coffin, surrounded by sorrowing relatives and friends, passed from earth to join the loved ones gone before. Her death was not unexpected to those who had sorrowfully watched her gradual decline, knowing that the end must soon come; and when the time of her departure drew near, it found her perfectly resigned to the will of the Master. Loving farewells to her dear ones were spoken and the blessed assurance given that to her death was but the dawning of a new life of eternal joy and happiness.
Miss Coffin was born in Louisville, Kentucky, March 28, 1848. In 1855 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Coffin, she came to Newton. Soon after the death of her mother in 1857, her father moved to Mt. Pleasant, where Alice finished a four years course of study in the Mt. Pleasant High School, and afterward entered the Iowa Wesleyan University from which she graduated four years later in 1869. Since 1872 she has been connected with the schools of our county, and has ranked among our best and most efficient teachers.
Early in life she became a Christian and united with the M. E. Church. Subsequently she changed her church relations and became a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and her life and character was that of an earnest, zealous Christian.
The funeral services were held at the home of her sister, Mrs. V. W. Skiff, at 6 o’clock Monday evening The services were conducted by Rev. J Evans Ryan, her former pastor, whose remarks were very beautiful, in which he paid touching tribute to her lovely character and Christian virtues, and imparted precious words of comfort to the sorrowing friends. In keeping with the other solemn service was the music furnished by a choir composed of Mrs. T. Rodgers, Miss Mary Silaby, and Messrs. Lee Brown and Fred Hough, with Miss Anna Treman as pianist. At the close of the services, a large funeral cortege followed the remains to our cemetery, where, as had been her request, just at the close of the day, as the sun was sinking to rest beneath the western horizon, Alice was lovingly laid beside her father and mother, who had preceded her to the “Beautiful Land of Rest.” It was a sadly beautiful coincidence that Alice’s funeral was on the 31st anniversary of her mother’s death. To the sister and other friends who mourn the loss of their loved one, we extend our sincerest sympathy.
Source: Newton Journal; Wednesday, August 1, 1888


 

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