OBITUARY:
DOWNING, Mrs. W. H. (Delia Bowers)
The Funeral -- the funeral of the late Mrs. W. H. Downing was held in the Christian church in this city at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Elder Skaggs, of Portland officiated. The interment was in the I. O. O. F. cemetery. The procession that came from the home of the deceased near Sublimity was a large one, showing the high appreciation in which the deceased was held by her neighbors and all of her acquaintances. Besides a devoted husband, the deceased left two children; Mabel, a girl of 12, and George, a boy of 9.
Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bowers, reside in Salem. She left two sisters, Mrs. P. Beckley, of Oakland, Oregon and one in Illinois, and four brothers. The afflicted family has the sympathy of a large number of friends in the Waldo hills and in Salem, and elsewhere.
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Mrs. Downing's Funeral. -- Laid to rest Monday--Biographical Sketch of the Deceased -- Mrs. Delia H. Downing, daughter of Jacob and Lena Bowers was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, Aug. 20, 1863, and died of Bronchitis, at Rocky Point, Marion County, Or. Feb. 17, 1900, aged 36 years, 5 months, 28 days. In June 1886, she was married to W. Henry Downing who survives her. By this marriage two children were born to them. Mabel and George who are left to mourn without a mother's comfort and care. Her father and mother are still living, her father being 85 years old. Besides her parents, there are three brothers and two sisters left to mourn for her. She became a Christian in April 1889 and since that time has led a very devoted Christian life and forming a character whose influence for good will be felt for many years. Death had no terrors for her while she loved life and expressed herself shortly before the end as wishing to live that she might serve her family and care for her feeble parents; but she said if it was the Lord's will for her to go she was willing. And so she departed this life with a smile on her lips. The funeral, which was held at the First Christian church in this city, was very largely attended by the friends of the deceased, and the deepest sorrow was shown in the faces of all, at the loss of a very lovable friend. The floral offerings, though not profuse, on account of the unfavorable weather, were beautiful, and the music by the choir was sweet and effective.
The funeral services were conducted by Elder C. G. Le Masters, of whose church at Stayton deceased was a valued member, assisted by Elder A. D. Skaggs, of east Portland, under whose ministrations she was converted. Elder Le Masters offered a heart-felt prayer and gave a biographical sketch of the deceased member of his flock, speaking in the highest terms of her character as a woman and a Christian. Elder Skaggs preached the funeral sermon proper, taking as his theme, "If a man die, shall he live again?" He answered the question in the affirmative and drew lessons of consolation and hope for the bereaved from the promises contained in the scriptures. At the end of the services the friends passed the casket and took a farewell look at one who was universally respected and beloved. A long line of carriages followed the remains, and many went on the street cars to rural cemetery where interment took place.
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