Miami Union

October 13, 1910 

STUDEBAKER, MARY SNELL - Mary Snell was born in Bethel township, Miami county, Sept. 22, 1860.  She was married to Isaac Studebaker March 7, 1878.  To this union were born 10 children, one son preceding his mother to the grave.  For many months she was a patient sufferer of that dread disease, cancer.  Through all her illness she manifested that trait of christian character that marked the history of her life.  She early in life placed her confidence in the Divine Savior and through all life she never lost sight of the comfort and consolation found in serving Him and as the shadow of death gathered round her the hope and glory of a blessed immortality was the light that cast its rays along her pathway.  She lived a beautiful Christian life and in her death the consoling influence of the Christian religion was triumphant.  Bidding farewell to the loved ones God had given her was a great trial.  But through the grace of a loving Savior she became resigned; that "Thy will not mine be done;" and as the current of life grew weaker and weaker and the charms of earth became more dim the brightness of a glorious immortality was so apparent that her soul gladly winged its way to is eternal home.  Thus passed away this Christian woman who was devoted to the principle of right, every ready to sacrifice her personal comfort and happiness for the good of others.  She loved the church of her choice and as an humble devoted member did what she could to promote its welfare.  When in health she seldom missed attending public service and was intensely interested in all matters that pertained to the uplifting of humanity.  As a neighbor she was accommodating and obliging, kind and considerate in her relation to all.  She had the unlimited respect and confidence of all.  But as a Christian mother her life and character was best understood.  In the home circle, around her own fireside, where truth, fidelity and virtue was the guiding star of every set of her domestic life and around this sainted one the hope of the family clustered, as there was no measurement of the mother's love with consideration and prayer she directed her sons and daughters in the paths that led to virtue and righteousness.  She was indeed the light of the home, by her untiring labors and self denial, and holding up the hands of the father, a beautiful earthly home was secured, blessed with the comforts common in these modern days.  May we not ask ourselves what is home with a mother?  In sorrow and tears we turn the picture to the wall and consign all that was mortal of poor Mother Studebaker to the silent grave--and without the hope of some bright day, in some faraway clime of again meeting this dear departed one where the flowers are ever blooming and our tears are all wiped away.  Until then, dear wife, sister and neighbor we bid thee farewell.  Mary Studebaker died Sept. 29, 1910 aged 50 years and 7 days.                        --J. C. Williams

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