Myra Berkley Arnold

BERKLEY, ARNOLD, YORK

Posted By: Marie Salisbury (email)
Date: 3/11/2023 at 15:17:59

Handwritten date: 1914. Acquired from Jackson County Historical Society by contributor. The end of the article says "-- Sprague (Wash.) Advocate

PASSING OF A GOOD WOMAN
Mrs. J. C. Arnold, well and Favorably Known, Passes Away.

Monday night, June 1, the condition of Mrs. James C. Arnold, who underwent an operation for gall stones at Myrtle hospital, grew worse, and as the day worn on she lapsed into unconsciousness, and passed away Tuesday afternoon.

Death comes to us all. we are ever walking in its shadows, and when there comes the summons we who are left on earth grieve for those we have loved and lost. Brought face to face with the great mystery which this loved woman has solved, we strive in vain to understand or fathom it. The poignancy of our grief does not nor will permit us to grasp the full meaning of its purpose.

A life is not justly measured by years, nor by the accumulation of wealth, but by the intrinsic value of character. Events are sometimes the best calendars, and though these events may be the commonplace ones of everyday life, it is the sum total of them that makes for character. The kindness done, the comfort given, the encouragement to some lonely soul, the solace in some hours of deepest sorrow, may not be of much moment, but their value is beyond words and they fill the chalice with choicest gems.

"Only to a few belong
The sculptor's laureled bust,
The builder's marble piles
And anthems pealing o'er the dust
In long cathedral aisles."

But the humblest among us can do our full duty as it lies before us, as did this noble woman whose work on the earth is finished.

Myra E. Berkley was born in New York in 1854. When yet a child her parents moved to Mount Carroll, Ill. Here she grew to womanhood. In July, 1876, she was married to James C. Arnold of Maquoketa, Iowa, and here they made their home for many years. To this union five children were born-- Mrs. Wallace York of Mitchell, S. D., J. B. of Sterling, Col., Chas., Edwin and Ruth of Sprague, who with the sorrowing husband are left to mourn her loss.

Early in life she united with the Episcopal church and lived a conscientious Christian life to the end. Her faith was firm and her hope was strong in the realization of the divine promises. She suffered much, pain and suffering had bent her form, but her lips ne'er gave out a coward's cry, the heart always young. We feel that as we consign her mortal remains in mother earth we can say with the poet, "O grave, a sacred trust to thee is given. No common ashes within thy guardian arms. Securely keep this consecrated dust till quickened with new life, it shall be a glorious body fitted for the skies."

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, June 7, at the residence, and were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Wilbur of the Congregational church. The floral offerings were very beautiful. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved husband and family. Interment in the Maccabee cemetery.

The relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. Wallace York, and her daughter Mable of Mitchell, S. D., and J. B. Arnold and son Harold of Sterling, Colo.