Sarah Jane Bise was born at Nashville, Tennessee January 13th, 1838, and died at her home in Ozawkie, Kansas December 23rd, 1924 at the advanced age of 86 years 11 months 10 days.
When she was three years old her parents came west settling in Missouri and after a short stay in Missouri, removed to the State of Iowa, where she grew to womanhood, and on June the eighth, 1856, united in marriage with William C. Brunton. They came to Kansas as pioneers in the year 1860 when there were many trials and hardships to endure, but through courage industry and economy they won the esteem and friendship of those about them, and soon earned and established a splendid home, which was blessed with seven sons and five daughters beside these Mae Bise a niece who was left motherless at the age of 18 months was taken into the home as an own child, sharing its blessings and comforts.
Together this little group journeyed until all had grown to manhood and womanhood, the circle being broken now, through the going out of father, mother, two brothers.
Of the children there yet remain Edna Casebier of Oskaloosa, Kans.; Rose Brinkerhoff, Fullerton, Calif.; Walter Brunton, Wenatchee, Wash.; Mattie Wellman, Compton, Calif.; Edward Brunton, Ozawkie, Kans.; Delbert Brunton, Fresno, Calif.; Nellie Harden, Ozawkie, Kans.; Mae Wells, Gaylord, Kan.
From these came the splendid heritage of 66 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren, besides these, friends who think it an honor to be there are many other relatives and the lineage of the one whom we loved to greet as mother and grandmother.
Mother Brunton united with the Church of the Brethren forty years ago and from the very start in the new life became an extensive Bible student acquiring a wonderful knowledge of its doctrines and teachings and was constantly and fearlessly telling those who were unsaved the way of life and salvation. Aside from her untiring church activities, volumes could be written telling of her administering help in time of sickness, distress, poverty or sorrow.
Suffice it to say there was no night too dark, too stormy or cold, but that she would answered a call from any home in need or distress, giving of her time and means unstintingly. Finally at the close of a long and eventful life she herself became an invalid and was very tenderly and patiently cared for by her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Alva Harden who administered to her every need and comfort until the lamp of life went peacefully out.
Among her last words was the message;
O: how thankful I am that God has kept me all these years, and led me by His Holy Spirit.
Tuesday morning December 23 at 15 minutes to seven, marked the fall of a great woman in Israel.
Wednesday Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m. was storming and cold and yet the large church was filled with earnest and sympathetic friends and admirers who came to show respects to the one who so kindly administered physical and spiritual comfort for so many years.
The funeral message was brought by Rev. H. L. Brammell, 2nd Timothy, 4-7, being used as an appropriate text.
Contributed by Thomas Hotchkiss