Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Ashcraft Chapel for Charley REED, lifelong resident of Koleen. Rev. L. D. ROBERTSON officiated at the services, and burial was made in the church cemetery. Mrs. Leo HARSHBARGER and Mrs. Harley STRAUSER sang special songs during the services. Mr. REED passed away Monday afternoon about 2 o’clock following a lingering illness. Born near Koleen on February 6, 1879, he was 69 years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Simeon and Mary (HARDESTY) REED. Prior to retiring because of ill health, he was engaged in the farming industry. Survivors include the widow, Lula Belle REED; three sons, Bert, at home; Teddy, at Koleen; Wayne, at Robison; three daughters, Mrs. Ruby CAZZELL, of Dugger; Mrs. Winnie ASHCRAFT, of Cedar Lake, and Mrs. Mary MEARS, of Midland; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Jenkins and Sons, funeral directors, were in charge of the funeral arrangements.
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Once more death has entered our community and taken one of our well respected citizens and neighbor, Charley REED. He was one of the two sons of Simeon REED and Mary T. (HARDESTY) REED. Both his parents and Harley, his brother, preceded him in death some years ago. Charley was born near Koleen, February 6, 1879, and departed this life at his home March 15, 1948, being at the time of his death 69 years, one month and nine days old. He was married to Lula Belle ASHCRAFT January 10, 1901. To this union seven children were born, six of whom, with the wife, are still living: Bert, at home; Teddy and Wayne, of Koleen; Mrs. Mary MEARS, of Midland; Mrs. Ruby CAZZELL, of Dugger; and Mrs. Winnie ASHCRAFT, of Cedar Lake, Indiana. Freedith, the oldest daughter, died in 1930, leaving a little orphan daughter. This little girl was taken in the home of Charley, and he and the wife cared for her as their own. She with 15 other grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, will sadly miss their loving grandfather’s companionship. Charley was of a congenial and friendly disposition, and always met his friends and neighbors with a glad and friendly smile and a hearty handshake. He was always willing to do what he could to help a neighbor in distress, these friends, with relatives, will always cherish and respect and be thankful of having met and enjoyed his friendship. In his home he was a good husband and a kind and loving father. He was honest and upright in his dealings with mankind, and one of his ambitions was to teach and instill these basic principles into the lives of his children. He was industrious, and enjoyed farm life, having lived on a farm near Koleen most of his life. Until the last year or two he was permitted to enjoy heath and vigor, but there comes a time in one’s life when all that medical care and loving hands can do will be to no avail, and those left behind can only stand by and see life slowly ebbing away. This would be said indeed if it were not for the promise of a life beyond the grave, even though these mortal bodies of ours return to dust, and it is a true statement; “Dust thou art to dust returneth was not spoke of the soul,” There’ll be a vacant place in our hearts and a familiar step will be missed, but let us not mourn as those who have no hope, for God has said, “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Then let us return home with this thought in mind that he is not dead, he is just away.