Obituaries of People Buried at Bethel Baptist (pre 1924)

Date of death: 2 Mar 1901

Subject: Mary A. (Duncan) Osborn

Source: unknown, Mar 1901 

Mrs. Mary A. Osborn died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Patrick near Bethel church in Andrew county on Saturday, March 2, 1901.  She leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, one daughter and a host of sorrowing friends and relatives.  Funeral services were conducted at Bethel Church on Monday by Rev. E. W. Dunegan, after which the remains were laid to rest at the Bethel cemetery.  Mrs. Osborn was a faithful member of the Baptist Church for many years.

Date of death: 25 Aug 1922

Subject: Malinda Jane (Graham) Kimberlin

Source: The DeKalb County Herald, 31 Aug 1922 

Malinda Jane Kimberlin was born February 5, 1835 in Keytesville, Charitor [sic] county, Missouri, departed this life August 26, 1922 in Helena, at the home of her daughter, at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 21 days.  She was a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Graham.  At 9 years of age the family moved to Andrew county, Missouri.  On July 3, 1856 she was married to Jacob Kimberlin and to this union were born eight children, one son and four daughters till survive.  Mrs. G. B. Christian of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. J. W. Yates of Brunswick, Missouri; Mrs. J. M. Watson of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Tena Mahar of Helena, Missouri; John of St. Joseph, also two sisters, Mrs. Will Ellingsworth of Lakeside, Washington and Mrs. Sarah Kearby of Savannah, Missouri.  She professed faith in her Christ 48 years ago and united with Bethel Baptist church and remained steadfast until death. 

Written in memory of one I love

Who has left this world, for the home above

Her battles are over, her trials are past,

With Christ in heaven she is safe at last. 

This home below will know her no more

She has exchanged for the home of the golden shore

The home of the soul, where the saints never die

Where they shout God's praises forever on high. 

Yes Grandma has left us and gone on before

We hope to meet her on heaven's bright shore,

The home of the saved, the place of the blest

Our loved one has entered her eternal rest. 

Oh beautiful home, where they sorrow no more

Oh beautiful place on the evergreen shore,

Oh beautiful land far beyond the sea,

Where she is waiting for you and me. 

By F. R. Mahar

Date of death: 25 Feb 1915

Subject: Ruth (Halbert) Kimberlin

Source: unknown, 5 Mar 1915 

Ruth Halbert was born in … county, Illinois, February 12, 1836, and died at her home near … February 25, 1915, at the age of seventy-nine years and thirteen days.  At the age of nine years she came with her mother to Andrew county, Missouri.  She professed … Jesus at the age of fourteen and was a member of the M… church for six years, when she united with the Bethel Baptist church, of which she remained a faithful and active member until her death.  December 14, 1855, she was married to Ferdinand W. Kimberlin, to whom were born nine children, four sons and five daughters, … , Helena; Mary A. Gordon, …; Reba Pulley, Helena; Sara …, St. Joseph; Dora L. and … of the home.  Three sons, John, … and Galen preceded her to the spirit world.  Mrs. Kimberlin was of a fine character.  She was … deeply pious.  Her home was known for its unbounded hospitality.  She will be greatly missed in the … and in the community.  Funeral services were conducted by [the author] of this obituary, Rev. S. …., Bethel Baptist church in the presence of a large audience.  … was buried in the cemetery near there to await the resurrection of the just.

Date of death: 22 Jul 1904

Subject: Ferdinand W. Kimberlin

Source: unknown, 29 Jul 1904 

Ferdinand W. Kimberlin was born in Bottetout county, Virginia, May 25, 1828.  Departed this life July 22, being at the time of his death 76 years, 1 month and 27 days of age. 

At about the age of 12 years he moved with his parents to Illinois, and about two years latter [sic] moved to Andrew county, where he has since resided with the exception of four years spent in California.  In 1849, during the excitement of the discovery of gold in California, he in company with two of his brothers, Jacob and Wm., went west and meeting with success, remained there until 1853. 

He was converted to the Christian faith about 55 years ago, being soon after baptized unto the fellowship of Bethel Baptist church, of which he remained a faithful member until death.  He was very charitable toward religious institutions and ever ready to relieve the suffering and help the needy. 

On December 13, 1855, he was married to Miss Ruth Halbert.  To this union nine children were born, viz.: John, Marion, Mary, Dora, Perry, Galen, Louisiana, Reba and Sera, three of whom, John, Perry and Galen, having died.  All of his married life was spent on the farm where he died. 

On Sunday morning funeral services conducted by Rev. A. L. Cooper, were held at Bethel church, Rev. Cooper taking for his there this passage of scripture, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," after which the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery.-- A Friend

Date of death: 20 Feb 1896

Subject: Benjamin B. Piper

Source: unknown, Feb 1896 

After a long and painful illness of two months, Benj. B. Piper departed this life on February 20, 1896, at three o'clock P.M. Deceased was 63 years of age and was born in Scott County, Illinois. He was a son of John and Julia A. Piper and one of ten children of whom six are living, three brothers and three sisters.

Deceased was married to Nancy J. Jenkins in October 24, 1866, and was the father of eight children. Two of them died eight or nine years ago. He leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters to mourn. He, with his parents moved to Andrew County on March 17, 1891 [sic]. His father died a year or two later and the cares of the family fell on Benjamine. During January 1861 he professed a hope in Christ and united with Bethel Baptist Church. He tried to live a consistent Christian from that time until his death. At the breaking out of the Civil War he cast his lot with the Confederacy, enlisted with Patton's camp, and served through the War. Was in 13 battles, and never received a wound and was one of the last to surrender. On his way home the boat on which he took his passage, sunk in the Red River, near Shrevesport, LA. Although many were drowned he escaped. He died on the place his father had preempted in 1841. He was a good neighbor, a good citizen and always ready to lend a helping hand to the sick. The funeral services were held by Rev. J. B. Kearby of Savannah, who preached a very able sermon after which the remains were interred in Bethel Cemetery in the presence of many friends.  

J. P. Tate

Date of death: 11 Jun 1922

Subject: Joseph A. Smith

Source: unknown, 1922 

Aged Andrew County Man Dies Near Cosby June 11 After Life of Usefulness

Joseph A. Smith died at his home near Cosby Sunday June 11, 1922 at the age of 80 years, 9 months and 9 days He had been a resident of Andrew County since 1851. Joseph A. Smith was born in Orange County, Indiana, September.2, 1841 he moved with his parents to Missouri Andrew County In 1851. He enlisted in the 12th Missouri Cavalry at the age of 18 and served his country three years and was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage October 28, 1869, to Liza Castle who died at her home August 19 1877. To this union two children were born William J. Smith of Helena, Montana and Mrs. A. M. Kimberlin of Helena. He was united in marriage in 1879 to Alice Orange. To this union three chi1dren were born. Mrs. J. E. Wright and Mrs. W. H. Lafon both of St. Joseph and  Myrtle Mae Smith who went before him at the age of three years. He leaves nineteen grandchildren. Mr. Smith united with the Bethel Baptist Church in February 1889. He was ever unselfish and kind always doing something for others even to the last day, planning something to do or have done for the benefit or the pleasure or comfort of
those around him. He had been failing in health for six years. Rev S. Riggs conducted the funeral services Tuesday at 12 o'clock at the Bethel Church. The many beautiful flowers expressed the love of the relatives, neighbors and friends who followed the remains to the Bethel Cemetery, where the body was 1aid to rest. The Odd Fellows gave their burial rites. He leaves to mourn his going, his wife, his children and his grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.  

Servant of God, well done.

Thy glorious warfare's past,

The battle fought, The race is won,

And thou are crowned at last.