ob606

submitted by
Verdaine Hooper

OBITUARY

Mr. K. Verdaine Hooper wrote:
Another obit from one of the Fairfield papers from my grandmother's collection.

Wayne County Press

JOHN DAVID BERST

was born in Dauphin county, Pa., March 31, 1839; departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clara Stoltz in Leech township, Wayne County, Illinois, April 29, 1915, age 76 years, 29 days. He was married to Mary Ellenberger in Lebanon, Pa., in 1859. They came to Illinois in May 1869 and settled in Wayne County near Beech Bluff.

Two children preceded their parents in death, Sarah Ellen and Katie Jane. Mrs. Berst November 23, 1875, leaving him the responsibility of both father and mother; having the care of six children the youngest fourteen months and the oldest fifteen years. He never married again, but lived on the farm and brought up his family there. After the children were all married he sold the farm and lived with them.

He was converted soon after his marriage in a revival meeting and united with the First Lutheran church in Harrisburg, Pa., his wife also transfering her membership from the Methodist Episcopal church. After coming to Illinois they united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Union near the home.

He leaves three brothers and two sisters

Wm. H. Berst of Joliet, Ill., Peter Berst of Lebanon, Pa.; Joseph Berst of Fairfield, Ill.; Mrs. Catherine Blouch, of Temperance, Mich and Mrs. Sarah A. Wagner of Wayne county, Illinois. Six children survive --Mrs. Clara A. Stoltz, Mrs. Mary E. Day, Mrs. Emma M. Wilson of Wayne county, Illinois, Mrs. Fannie Y. Ice, of Decker, Ind., John E. Berst, of Lockport, Ill., and Rev. Samuel D. Berst, of Enfield, Ill. Also twenty-one grandchildren, four great-grandchildren with a host of other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.

He has been in poor health for several years. His last illness which brought on his death was pneumonia and a complication of ailments. He said--his wife told him when passing from earth, to keep the children together and raise them up right so
they would meet in heaven. He told the children that they could say, how well he succeeded--he had done his best, and that he wanted them to live right for he wanted them to be an unbroken family in heaven. He said many times that he was anxious and ready to go, that Jesus was with him when he passed away from us. His suffering was severe and very painful, yet he bore it with great patience and was perfectly reconciled to go. Three of the daughters were with him at the time of his death. All the children had been to see him a few days before.

Funeral services were held at the Union C. P. church, Sunday, May 2nd, 1915 at 3 P. M. by Rev. H. O. Hiser of Nashville, Illinois who was at one time pastor of the M. E. church at Golden Gate and Merriam and who was a close friend of the family.