Published as it appeared on Jan. 10, 1908, in the Corvallis Gazette, Page 1, Columns 3-4.
CALLED TO HER REST.
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Mrs. George E. McDonald Passes
Away at Dayton, Ohio
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Sorrow has touched the home of many relatives and friends and many hearts are aching, for God has called a loved one home. But their sorrow is tinged with joy and Heaven seems nearer to those who are left to mourn.
Iva Dell Mankin was born at Turner, Oregon, February 22, 1879, and was aged at the time of her death 28 years, 10 months and 8 days. When about three years of age she, with two older brothers, was left an orphan, her father having died previous to her birth. Shortly after she was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Durkee, then of Salem, and grew to young womanhood without knowing that she was an orphan, when she was again left motherless. She was a graduate of Philomath College and later taught three years in Philomath Public School.
On June 17, 1903, Iva Durkee was married to Rev. George E. McDonald in Philomath chapel, and went with him to make her home in Eugene, where he was pastor of the United Brethren church, and where she was ever a faithful and earnest worker. Last June Rev. McDonald resigned his pastorate in that city, and with her husband and little daughter, Mrs. McDonald left in August for Dayton, Ohio, that Mr. McDonald might attend the United Brethren Seminary at that place.
On Christmas morning another little daughter came to bless their home, and for a few days the future seemed exceedingly bright, but at the close of the sixth day death came as the result of blood poisoning. Those who witnessed her last hours say that her death was most beautiful, leaving no regrets, but pointing loved ones to a bright and happy future, in perfect confidence and trust knowing that “The Father’s Overhead.”
The funeral occurred in Philomath College chapel, Tuesday afternoon at one o’clock and interment was made in Newton cemetery, a large number of relatives and friends being present.
The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful, among them being pieces from the M.E. church at Germantown, Iowa, of which Rev. McDonald has been serving as pastor, from the Ladies’ Aid Society of the United Brethren church at Eugene, of which Mrs. McDonald was formerly president, and from the Ladies’ Missionary Society at Philomath.
Besides her sorrowing husband and two little girls, Georgene and Phyllis, deceased leaves one brother, Guy Mankin of Turner, Oregon, two sisters-in-law, Teressa McDonald, who was with her in Dayton, and Mrs. John A. Gellatly of Wenatchee, Wash.; her brother-in-law, Percy McDonald of Eugene, who with their mother, Mrs. Hannah McDonald of Philomath, have loved her as their own; also her adopted father E.W. Durkee, of Newport, Or., and two sisters, Mrs. D.L. Peck of North Yakima, Wash., and Mrs. E.R. Hollister of this city, and two brothers, Frank and Wendell Durkee and little sister, Saidee, of Chico, California.
Mrs. McDonald was widely known and was held in the warmest esteem by all who called her friend, and her early passing has brought deep sorrow to all. The husband and little ones, together with other relatives, have the deepest sympathy of the entire community.