Mary M. Hunt was born in Indiana October 10th, 1854. She was the daughter of Baldwin and Narcissis Hunt. She spent her early childhood in that state, coming with her parents to Illinois in 1867; later coming to Iowa. It was here that her parents died, leaving the seven children homeless. Mary was employed in Albia for a number of years until meeting Elijah Kirk to whom she was married September 11th, 1872. To this union were born twelve children, four dying in infancy and the eldest son Charlie dying at the age of thirty-five. The seven remaining children are Fred of Huron, S.D., Mrs. Hulda Stufflebeam, Mrs. Sarah Cavaniss, Joe and Jim Kirk of Ottumwa, Mrs. Rhoda Stufflebeam of Unionville, and Bert of Bunch. Her husband preceded her in death January 4, 1899 leaving her a widow with several children to support, the youngest three years of age. This was in the days of hard times and she was faced with the task of providing for her children and keeping a home for them and keeping them all together. This she did and besides she always had a kind word and helping hand for others. Thru the long years of hard work she never faltered, keeping her faith in the God she accepted in early life. As the years passed by the children grew up, some of them marrying and leaving the old home to accept the responsibility they had learned from their hard working mother. The two youngest boys, Jim and Bert were enlisted in the World War. This broke up the home and the mother was forced to live with her loving children rather than spend the rest of her life alone at the old homestead. This she did until the end came at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ira Stufflebeam of Unionville. She united with the Baptist church at Bunch soon after its organization and remained a member of that body until God called her home. The date of her death was March 29, 1932; leaving this world at the age of 77 years, 5 months and 19 days. She leaves beside the seven children two brothers, John Hunt, of Ottumwa, and Marion Hunt, of Kansas, one sister, Etta of Illinois, eighteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and other distant relatives. Funeral services were held at the Bunch Baptist church Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. Luther W. Childs, pastor of the First Baptist church of Centerville. Six of her grandsons acted as pall bearers and three were honorary. Namely, they were as follows, Chester Kirk, Herbert and Charles Stufflebeam, Russell Kirk and Earnest and Ralph Stufflebeam; honorary, Earl Kirk, Clell Kirk and Eugene Stufflebeam. The Body was laid to rest in the Taylor cemetery. Thus another one of our pioneer mothers has gone to her reward.