Notes:
Data source is Leonard Showalter. E-mail lshowalter@delphi.com
Obituaries from area newspapers, the last from the Manistee News-Advocate.
Mrs. A. L. Showalter
Onekama--Mary J. Brandt was born in Germany on November 19, 1863 and departed this life at her home in Onekama on February 4, 1938, at the age of 74 years, two months and 15 days.
At the age of three years she came with her family to America on the boat Fulton, the voyage lasting six weeks. From New York they came directly to Chicago, arriving there during a terrible epidemic of cholera, which took two of her brothers. After three months, they came to Bear Lake township living with relatives for three years, then taking up a homestead in Onekama township and later the property now occupied by her only, brother, Ernest Brandt, north of the
village
In September, 1884 she was united in marriage to Andrew L. Showalter and together they
started a home not far from her paternal home To this union were born nine children: Charles of Manistee, Eldon of Arcadia, Florida, Ernest of Onekama, Joseph of Bear Lake Township, Mrs. Calvin Wagoner, deceased, Louis of Battle Creek, Mrs. H. J. Pennell of Davisburg, Mrs. Harold England of Chicago, and Mrs. Simon Specht of Prarr!e du Sac, Wisconsin, and 21 grandchildren. Her brother, Ernest Brandt, the only surviving, member of' the family, resides on the old homestead. Besides these are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and hosts of friends. She was a member of the Congregational church and the Women's Home Missionary Society and though her health often hindered her attendance she was always willing to contribute in any way possible.
Mrs. Showalter was a woman of sterling character, loyal to her home and family and loved
and respected by all who knew her.
The funeral service was conducted at the Congregational church on Tuesday afternoon by
Rev. J. Edson Ulery, a friend of the family for many years, His sermon was based on Prov. 31 and all who heard, knew that the description of a good woman fitted the life of this devoted wife and mother Leslie A. Quale and the Erickson sisters beautifully sang two of her favorite hymns "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Abide With Me." Rev. Ulery closed the service by paying high tribute to this, another of Onekama's pioneers whose life of hard labor and courage will go on living in the lives of her children and grandchildren and all who knew her will love to cherish her memory.
Mrs. A. L. Showalter, 71 Years a Resident of Onekama Died Friday
Onekama-Mrs. Andrew L. Showalter, who had been ill for about a week,. passed away at her home here last Friday morning. Pneumonia and the resulting weakening of the, heart were the cause of death.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the home and 2:00 p.m. at the Onekama Congregational church with Rev. Ulery officiating. Burial will be in the Onekama village cemetery.
Mrs. Showalter, nee Mary Brandt was born in Germany February 4th, 1863 and came to this country with her parents when she was but three years old. She came to Manistee county in 1868 and has been a resident of Onekama for the past 71 years.
She is survived by her husband and eight children, one other daughter, Mrs. Lusetta Wagoner, having preceded her in death this past summer. The children are: Charles of Manistee, Eldon of Florida, Ernest of Onekama, Lewis of Battle Creek, Joseph of Bear Lake, Mrs. Frances Pennell, of Davisburg, Mrs. Hester England of Chicago and Mrs. Hazel Specht of Prairie du Sac, Wis., A brother, Ernest Brandt of Onekama, also survives. There are 19 grandchildren.
DEATH. TAKES MRS. ANDREW L. SHOWALTER
Mrs.Andrew L. Showalter, 74, pioneer resident of Onekama, died at her home in that village this morning at 12:30 of pneumonia.
Mrs. Showalter was born in Germany and came to this country when a. child of 3. After living for a few months in New York and Illinois she came to this county 71 years ago. With her mother she walked from Manistee through the pine forests to make their home at Onekama, where she lived the rest of her life
Surviving are her husband and eight children: Charles of Manistee, Eldon of Florida, Ernest at home, Lewis of Battle Creek, Mrs. H. J. Pennell of Davisburg, Mich., Mrs. H. England of Chicago and Mrs. Simon Specht of Wisconsin. She also leaves a brother, Ernest Brandt of Onekama and 19 grandchildren.
The body has been taken to the Lundquist funeral home and funeral arrangements will be announced later.