Taken from The Alton Democrat, Ilton, Iowa, Saturday, 31 March 1894 reads...
Died: At his home in this city of spinal meningitis, Willie Slob aged 12.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Slob is shrouded in gloom, for death hath invated it and taken away a loving son.
"Death lay on him like an untimely frost, Upon the sweetest flower of all the field."
A week of suffering, a week of unconsciousness and then on early Easter morn, the soul of Willie Slob left its earthly tenement for that home above.
"The Father's home, Where the careworn and the weary and the little children dwell, Where love tones alone are echoed, where is breathed no sad farewell."
Kind, dutiful, studious, lovable and loving, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him and loved him. In one short week, the hopes, ambitions and plans of a young and most promising life have been thwarted by the fell destroyer. How true the words;
"Leaves have their times to fall, And flowers to whither and the north wind's breath. And stars to set - but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!"
The funeral services took place at the American Reformed Church and were conducted by Revs. Kolyn of this place and Muilenburg of Boyden. Many and lovely were the floral designs. Beautiful Easter lilies, emblems of purity and the resurrection were strewn o'er the casket. Rev. Kolyn preached a most impressive and pathetic sermon. A great number of friends then followed the remains to the cemetery, where was laid to rest all that is mortal of little Willie.