Mrs. Sarah (Patterson) Bashaw
Mrs. Sarah Patterson Bashaw was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1834. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1854 and three years later, in 1857, came to Leon. She was married to J.R. Bashaw, September 16, 1866. From this marriage four children were born, three sons and a daughter, the sons all dying in infancy. The daughter, now the wife of Mr. Robert Shuler, survives and with her father mourn the loss of the wife and mother.
Early in life, Mrs. Bashaw, then but a young woman, united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this city. That church becoming extinct, she connected herself with the Presbyterian Church in 1873, of which church she was a consistent member till the day of her death. Until illness prevented active service she was one of the most earnest workers in the church, and even when laid aside from her former activity, she was deeply interested in the welfare of the church. She sang in the choir, taught a class in the Sabbath School, was an active member of the Aid Society, and in other ways made herself felt in thework of the church.
During the last year, Mrs. Bashaw has been a great sufferer, and several times near to death's door. But all this sufferering she has borne with great patience, never complaining at her lot. Many times she expressed herself as ready to "depart and be with Christ," and yet was never impatient for the end to come, willing to wait the Father's time to give her relief. Her confidence in the love of her Heavenly Father was great, and she was frequently in the habit of expressing her great love for her Savior. Her enjoyment of the services of the church was great, and the greatest privation of her life was experienced when illness made it impossible for her longer to attend. "He giveth his beloved sheep." Death came to her relief on Wednesday evening, April 17th, near the midnight hour.
The funeral services were conducted at the home by Reverend W.H. IIsley, on Friday afternoon, April 19th, at 2 o'clock. The sermon was from Cor. 1,15:6, "Some are fallen asleep." A quartette consisting of Mrs. Dale Bowman, Miss. Louise Waight, and Messrs. S.L. Darrah and Harry Vogt, rendered several appropriate selections, with Miss. Grace Morrill at the instrument.
"Thank God for grace
Ye who weep! If, as some have done,
Ye grope, tear-blinded, in a desert place,
And touch but tombs-look up those tears will run
Soon in long rivers down the lifted face,
And leave the vision clear for stars and sun."
Posted in Decatur County Journal-IowaApril 25, 1901