Jim wrote:
This interesting obit I have in my Wilson family files. It was clipped so closely I do not know for sure when it appeared, but it must have been in   the Wayne  County Press shortly after June 2 1912.  I would love  to know who wrote such a  beautiful article.
Jim Wilson

Barnhill and community was shocked Saturday morning at the announcement that R J Wilson, one of their much esteemed citizens, had dropped dead while at work in his garden, shortly after six o’clock.  Death was almost instantaneous, as he never spoke to  those who were nearest him at the time.

He and his stepson, Carl Sutterfield, were working in the potato patch, the former plowing and Mr Wilson was using a hoe.  Shortly after driving past him, Carl noticed his stepfather drop to the ground.  He ran to his assistance, and attempted to raise him. He called his mother, Mrs Wilson, who was in the kitchen not far away, and neighbors were called. Life was extinct, however, and he was removed to the house later. Mr Wilson has not enjoyed robust health for sometime, and  suffered with heart trouble.  He had expressed his belief that he would die suddenly, sometime.

Mr Wilson was a man of strong personality,  and enjoyed the esteem of the entire citizenship, where he was honored as a leader. Kind of heart, gentle of manner, he always showed himself to be a man of generous nature and impulse. He was an active member of the Barnhill Missionary Baptist church, a church he joined early in his life, and its interest were nearest his heart at all times. He was considered a pillar of the organization,  and his death will be deeply mourned, by church members and by the community in general.

Reuben J Wilson was born in Barnhill township, Wayne County, Ill, Dec 2,1845, and all his life lived   within sight of his birthplace with the exception of the years spent in the Civil War.  Died June 1, 1912, age 66 years, 5 months and 29 days.

He enlisted Jan 20,1864 as a private in Co K, 87th Illinois regiment, and gave his country his most faithful service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged.  He was an honored member and leader of the James Lasater Post, G A R at Mill Shoals.

He was married Jan 28, 1866   to Miss Hannah Harl, to whom were born three children, only one, Ed S Wilson, surviving,  now a resident of this city. Mrs Wilson died Jan 29, 1873.   He was married Oct 30,1873 to Miss Nancy E Harl, sister of his first wife, to   whom was born one child which died in infancy.  His second wife dying soon afterwards, he was married to Angeline Meeks, Nov 27th, 1876.  To this union a number of children were born, the survivors being Mrs Maggie  A Odell, of Burnt Prairie, Thomas J Wilson, of Mill Shoals, and Mrs Emma Hunsinger of Barnhill township.    Having been bereft of this third wife, he was married in April 1904 to Mrs Laura A Claycomb-Sutterfield, of Fairfield, who survives the deceased.

The funeral was conducted at the Barnhill Baptist Church at ten o’clock Sunday, June 2, the   service being conducted by Rev W. H. McCann of Albion, long time  pastor and old friend of the deceased. One of the largest crowds that ever attended a funeral in Barnhill attended, and bore testimony  to the high esteem as a man, citizen and church worker in which he was held by his neighbors.  The remains were tenderly laid to rest in the cemetery  near by. Barnhill mourns inconsolably for a good man gone.