Another Citizen Answers Summons

Reuben Andrew Sturdivant, one of Coulterville’s well known and respected citizens was born near Pinckneyville, April 22, 1867 and died at the Sutherland Hospital in Sparta early Wednesday morning June 21, 1944.  He was 77 years, 1 month and 29 days old.

Mr. Sturdivant had been in poor health for several months, death being the result of infirmities of age.  During the past five or six weeks he suffered intensely while he was given the very best of care by members of his own family and the hospital nurses.

He was the son of John and Mary Sturdivant, one of three children the other two being girls. When quite young he was left as an orphan and work fell to be his lot early in life.

On March 6, 1889 he was married at Nashville, Illinois to Miss Mary Catherine Wisely and to this union eight children were born, six girls and two boys, two of the daughters are deceased.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sturdivant located on a farm about three miles from town and there they labored together and raised their family.  For something like 25 years Mr. Sturdivant had charge of a sawmill and furnished much lumber in this community.

In  1912 they moved to Coulterville and located in the Armstrong addition and there they lived happily together until the death of Mrs. Sturdivant, April 19, 1942.  One of the happiest days of their good and useful lives was March 6, 1939 when they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.

Mr. Sturdivant as long as health permitted delighted in being busy and he did and assisted with many different kinds of work.  He especially liked carpenter work, also cement and concrete work.

When a young man he united with the Covenanter Church (O.S.)  He was a good neighbor, a fine friend and will be missed by those who knew him best.

He is survived by the following children: John T. and Mrs. Thomas Beck of Coulterville; Mrs. Hallie Cox of Tilden, Mrs. Don Carpenter of Joy, Ill., Roy Sturdivant of Battle Creek, Michigan and Alice of Chicago.  There are twenty five grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.  Also one sister, Mrs. Frances Edgar of Coulterville and other near relatives.

Funeral services are being held in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Coulterville this (Friday) afternoon at two o’clock with Rev. Paul Warren Duncan officiating.  Interment will be made in the family lot in the Coulterville Cemetery.

Source: The Republican, Coulterville, Randolph County, IL, June 23, 1944, Page 1

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