MRS. W. W. MERRITT
Mrs. W. W. Merritt passed away at the Cottage Hospital in Creston, Tuesday, September 11, at 2:45 o'clock, following an operation a day or two before for relief from a chronic stomach ailment from which she had been suffering for a number of years. The remains were brought to Red Oak Wednesday afternoon and the funeral arrangements were made for Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and will be from the home 810 6th Street.
Helen Mar Witcomb was born in Joliet, Illinois in June 1838 and was 72 years, 2 months, and 22 days of age. She was twice married, her first husband being W. W. Pomeroy, who was well known in Red Oak before his death some years ago. Deceased came to Red Oak in 1867, and in 1892 he was married to Rev. W. W. Merritt of this city. While her health permitted, Mrs. Merritt was very active in social and lodge circles and was a print member of the Eastern Stars and of the W.R.C. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Maude Pomeroy, who lives at Creston. Her son, Fred E. Pomeroy, died some years ago. Two grandsons and numerous other relatives survive and many of them are expected to be in attendance at the funeral this afternoon. A more complete obituary and an account of the funeral will be published next week, as the details of the funeral had not been arranged at the time of going to press.
Red Oak Express, Red Oak, Iowa, Friday, September 22, 1911, page 12

Funeral of Mrs. W. W. Merritt.
The funeral of Mrs. W. W. Merritt, who died at a hospital in Creston Tuesday, Sept 19, was held at the family home, Sixth and Joy Streets., Red Oak, at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, September 22. There was large attendance of friends at the funeral and Rev. Geo. E. Wood, of the Congregational church, preached a fitting sermon. Rev. C. A. Berger, D.D., of the Presbyterian church, assisted in the service, and the singing was by Mrs. B. F. Spicer and Mrs. R. D. Morris.Special music was furnished, among the numbers being a solo by Mrs. R. D. Morris. The pallbearers were A. R. Tracy, O. A. Rose, J. D. Goldsworthy, O. A. Milner, Jas. O'Rourke and H. P. Light. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery in a lot in which lie the remains of Mrs. Merritt's parents. A large cortege of sorrowing relatives and friends accompanied the remains to their last resting place. . The relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mrs. Edward Riggs, a sister and Mr Riggs, from Lamont; Fletcher Whitcomb, a brother, and Mrs. Whitcomb, from York, Neb.; Mrs. Jas. O'Rourke, a daughter, and Mr. O'Rourke, from Creston; Mrs. Hat Talmage, a niece, from Omaha; Mrs. Fred Pomeroy, a daughter-in-law, from Minneapolis; Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Merritt of Emerson; Dr. and Mrs. John Merritt of Tekamah, Nebraska; Mesdames Wilson and Fogg of Creston, and several other relatives from that city and from Villisca and other points.
Mrs. Merritt was a woman beloved by al who knew her. She was a member of the reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, into which she was baptized when but a little girl and she had always been a faithful and consistent Christian and an adherent to that faith, which was demonstrated by a bequest to that church of $500. She had always taken a great interest in the Orphan's Home of Council Bluffs, and ws very active in her work for that institution, and waas for some time president of the local organization of the Home Society. Mrs. Merritt was also a business woman of rare ability which was proven by twenty years in the millinery business in that city in which she was very successful. She had great industry and energy and was beloved for many quiet benevolences. She bore her last illness with fortitude born of a Christian spirit, and when she learned that she could not recover, her resignation to the will of her Maker was as beautiful as had been her ambition to do HIs will in life. She is widely mourned and Mr. Merritt has the deep sympathy of the entire community in the loss of his faithful and esteemed helpmate.
Red Oak Express, Red Oak, Iowa, Friday, September 29, 1911, page 12
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