Lydia May Coons Burkett, eldest daughter of John M. and Amanda C. Coons, was born in Clark County, Ill., November 23, and died at her late home, four miles South of Marshall, Ill., November 15, 1916, aged 50 years, 5 months and 28 days. She was married to James W. Burkett March 13, 1888. To them were born nine children. She was the second child of a family of thirteen and was the first of the family to answer a summons of death, except the mother who died twenty-two years ago. She is survived by her husband and seven children, one grandchild, her aged father, seven brothers and five sisters, all of whom were present at the funeral except the youngest brother who is in the United States Army on the border. Besides these she leaves many relatives and friends. Her four children at home had gone to school as usual and her husband had left a short time later for Marshall on business, leaving her alone in apparent usual health. Upon returning home, about five hours later, she did not come to the door to greet him, as she invariably did and suspecting something was wrong, he hastened to the house, where he found her lying on the kitchen floor. She had apparently died without a struggle some after he had left home. The cause of death was apoplexy. Thus death came suddenly and without a warning, but we are confident she was prepared for it. Almost since girlhood she had been a devout member of the Methodist protestant church at Clark Center Illinois. About four years ago they moved to their present residence, so that she could not often attend her own church, from which she did not move her membership, but attended regularly the evangelical church near her home. The very large attendance at the funeral and the many kind words of respect and sympathy spoken to us, was a sufficient testimony to the high regard of her neighbors and friends for her. Funeral services were held from the church of which she was a member, by Rev. J.L. Buyer, of the First Evangelical Association, of Marshall, ILL., and her body was borne by six stalwart brothers to its last resting place in the cemetery nearby, where she now sleeps, awaiting the resurrection of the dead in Christ Jesus.
JOHN C. COONS

======================================
Mrs. James Burkett, of Anderson township, was found dead in her home last Wednesday. Her husband came to Marshall that morning, leaving Mrs. Burkett apparently in her usual health. On returning home about two o'clock, he found her lying on the kitchen floor. She had apparently been dead several hours when found. Coroner Haslitt pronounced it a case of apoplexy.

Lydia May Coons was born in Clark county May 23, 1866. She was married to James W. Burkett March 18, 1888. To them were born nine children, seven of whom survive. She is also survived by her aged father, John M. Coons, five sisters, seven brothers, and one grand-child. She was a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Rev. J. L. Buyer conducted the funeral services and interment followed in the Auburn Cemetery.