Probably the Raritan Reporter
Mrs. Rose Mc Cleary, one of the communities oldest residents and a most highly respected citizen, was found dead in bed at her home 4 1/2 miles northwest of Raritan , Sunday morning May 18, 1913 . While her death was not wholly unexpected, it was a great shock to her relatives and friends, and sincere were the expressions of regret over her sudden demise.
A few years since she was the victim of a paralytic stroke which left her a cripple and unable to wait upon herself, but she has been tenderly cared for by her children, and her every want supplied in so far as it could be.
The deceased, whose family name was Kelly, was born in Co. West Meath Ireland December 28 1843 and came to America when a child. On February 4, 1866 , she was united in Marriage to Patrick Mc Cleary at Monmouth Illinois and the remainder of her life was spent in Warren and Henderson Counties . Mr. Mc Cleary passed away Jan. 5, 1905 .
Mrs. Mc Cleary was one of a family of 13 children – - 1 son and 13 daughters -- Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Kelly, of whom only 3 sisters are living Mrs. Jonathon Bivens of this vicinity being one of them. ( Mrs. James [Anna] Sloan Mrs. James [ Lizzie Slater] Flannigan, Mrs. Dennis [Celia]] Slater.)
She was the mother of eleven children of whom eight are still living, namely Mrs. Mary Towney and Mrs. Alice Henefent of Roseville, Mrs. Kate Boylen of Mt. Sterling, Mrs. Margaret St. Ledger of Galesberg, William of Davenport IA, Mrs. Rose Doyle, James and Tony all of this neighborhood, all of whom have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement.
The deceased was a loving and indulgent mother a kind and generous neighbor, a true friend, and ever faithful in her religious beliefs. She was one of the charter members of St. Patrick’s Church, which was organized some forty years ago.
Funeral services were held in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3 miles northeast of Raritan, Tuesday forenoon, Rev. Fathers Timothy and P.P. Owens of Monmouth and Father Lyons of Galesberg, officiating. Music was furnished by a duet from Bushnell. The internment was in the adjoining cemetery.
The esteem in which the deceased was held, was attested by the large concourse of friends who attended the obsequies and the many floral offering which adorned her casket. The church was not large enough to accommodate the crowd.
The following relatives and friends from abroad were present; John Towmey and family, Nicholas Henefent and family of Roseville, John Boylen and daughters Mary and Rose, of Mt. Sterling; Louis Arnold and wife of Macomb; Tony St. Ledger and wife of Galesberg; Mrs. Ann Berry and daughter Ellen of Rock Island; Mesdames Honora Hays, Jane Broderick, Myles Costello.
Submitted by Bonita Evjen
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