The Carthage Gazette, Carthage, Illinois, Friday July 26, 1946 Page 1 Column 1
John W. Davis Dies at Home Here
John W. Davis passed away at his home on East Main July 26 (today) at 10:30 a. m., after a long decline in health.
Funeral arrangements had not been made at the time we go to press.
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The Carthage Republican, Carthage, Illinois, Wednesday July 31, 1946 Page 8 Column 2
John W. Davis Died Last Friday
John William Davis, a well known retired farmer and stockman of the Middlecreek neighborhood, passed away Friday, July 26th at his home in Carthage. Mr. Davis had been in declining health for several years.
A son of Edward and Clarisa (Printy) Davis, he was born in Brown County, Illinois, July 31, 1869. Had he lived until Wednesday he would have had his 77th birthday.
Mr. Davis' family moved to Carthage Township, Hancock County in 1873 and at an early age John started farming for himself in the same community.
On November 16, 1890 he was happily married to Miss Minnie J. Porter of the Middle Creek vicinity and they lived and prospered on their farm until about ten years ago, when Mr. Davis lost his health and they moved to Carthage.
For more than half a century Mr. Davis was a member of the Christian Church and for 40 years he was a member of the Carthage Chapter of the Masonic Lodge.
Surviving Mr. Davis is his good wife who was a faithful companion through their many years together and who tenderly cared for him although every day of his declining health.
An only sister, Mrs. Mae Cannon is deceased. Her children: H. B. Cannon of Tracy, California and Mrs. Madge Donley, Ahwahnee, California, and a number of Mrs. Davis' relatives are left to mourn the death of this dear one.
Mr. Davis is described by those who knew him best as honest, industrious, home-loving and kind.
"I cannot say, and I will not say That he is dead. He is just away! With a cherry smile and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land, And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be since he lingers there.
And you -- oh you, who the wildest yearn For the old-time step and the glad return.--Think of him faring on, as dear In the love of There as the love of Here; Think of him still as the same, I say; He is not dead -- he is just away"
Funeral services were held at the Fecht Funeral Home Monday, July 29, 1946 at two o'clock, with Rev. H. C. Reichel officiating.
Pallbearers were: J. Arthur Baird, F. P. Cutler, Ed Miller, E. L. Metz, Joe Lenix, W. H. Smith.
"Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "What a Friend we Have in Jesus" were sung by Mrs. Gladys Garard and Lester Rampley with Mrs. Erma Smith accompanist.
Submitted by Mary Love Berryman.