THE
ADVERTISER (COLLINSVILLE) - Date unknown
CHRISTOPHER KILLINGER
In Memoriam Death
has again entered our city and removed from
amongst us one of our worthiest and most highly
respected citizens, Christopher Killinger, aged
seventy-two years, seven months and eleven days.
Although in very poor health for a number of
months his friends and all those dear to him
hoped that he would be spared to them, and his
death has caused much sorrow in our city where he
was so well known and liked by all, and where he
was held in the highest esteem by many kind
friends. At ten minutes to seven, Friday evening
last, the summons came, and he entered his
Heavenly home. He was a good man in every way,
always cheerful and doing what he thought best
for everyone's welfare.
For a number of
years he was employed as a hoisting engineer for
the Hydraulic Press Brick Co., holding the
position with the greatest ability and winning
the respect of the company, who are aware of the
fact that they have lost an employee whose place
it will be very hard to fill.
Mr. Killinger was
recording secretary of Madison Lodge, No. 13,
I.O.O.F., for a period of twenty-five years,
holding the office with the greatest accuracy and
ability and we feel confident that the order will
miss him greatly, and will feel that there is a
vacancy in their order that cannot be filled. He
was a regular attendant every Saturday evening at
their meetings, never failing to be present
unless prevented by sickness.
On Sunday previous
to his death, Mr. Killinger called his daughter
Hazel to him and request that she play his
favorite hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee,"
which she did, and although it nearly broke her
heart, she rendered it in an able manner, while
her dear father listened, as that smile of peace
and contentment came over him. He loved the hymn
and was aware of the fact that he was nearer Home
than he had ever been before. It has always been
his desire to linger no longer than possible, and
although he had been ill for several months, he
did not take to his bed until a week before his
death. He bore his illness patiently, never
complaining, always declaring that he had no pain
whatever. He actually fell asleep as it were, the
end being so peaceful and surrounded by his loved
ones so dear to him, he entered that Heavenly
home from whence no traveler has ever returned,
and although it is very hard to give him up, and
so hard to say "Thy Will be Done" those
whom he loved so well have to bow their heads and
submit to the will of the Divine Father who doeth
all things well. It is exceedingly hard for the
patient wife, who was constantly with him, and
administered to his every want, to part with
so-devoted a husband.
Christopher
Killinger was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
April 1st, 1837. He spent his boyhood days there
and came to Illinois in his young manhood
settling in Alton. He was married in that city in
1863 to Miss Mary Ellen Rain, to this union were
born ten children, four of whom survive both
father and mother, viz: John Killinger, of St.
Louis, Miss Francis Killinger of Staunton, Mrs.
Ellen Wendler and Mrs. Ethel Stope, both of Glen
Carbon, Ill.
Mrs. Mary Ellen
Killinger departed this life January 12th, 1886.
In 1892 Mr. Killinger was married to Miss Annie
Horneyer, of Alton. To this union were born two
children, a son and a daughter. Herbert and Hazel
Killinger, both of whom with their mother survive
the father.
Mr. Killinger
enlisted in Co. I 144 Regiment Illinois
volunteers, Capt. John D. Moore, Oct. 13th, 1864,
and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Il.,
July 14, 1865, at the close of the war. He came
to Collinsville in 1873 and has been a resident
of this city ever since, thirty-six years. In the
spring of 1886 he was elected alderman in the
third ward o this city, and held this office for
nine years. In April 1895 he was elected mayor of
this city, which office he held for one term. In
April 1904 he was elected president of the School
Board of Collinsville district and served for one
term. He was a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, Kings of Honor and the Grand Army of
Republic, and always took a prominent part in the
affairs of these orders.
His religious
faith was that of the Lutheran Church.
Deceased leaves to
mourn his departure, his wife, two sons and four
daughters, seven grand-children and one brother,
John Killinger, who has been at the Highland
Hospital for many months suffering with
paralysis, two sisters Mrs. Margaret Evans of
this city, and Mrs. Lena Sterline, of Lancaster,
Penn., and other relatives and many kind friends.
The sympathy of this community is with the
bereaved family in their hour of trouble.
The funeral took
place at two o'clock from his late residence on
Main street, to the Methodist church, Sunday
afternoon, being largely attended. The Rev. Zelah
J. Farmer pronounced the last sad rites after
which the remains were laid to rest in Glenwood
cemetery. After the services at the grave, the
usual custom of the G.A.R. of covering the casket
with the flag was followed out.
The honorary
pallbearers were members of the G.A.R. and were
as follows: John Babbs, John Mueller, J. W.
Friend, Fred Hilgemeyer, Hugh McCugh and Wm.
Balding. Wm. Begole, Jr., acted as bugler. A. J.
Platt acted as marshal, and the following members
of Madison Lodge No. 48, I.O.O.F. acting as
pallbearers: J. W. Kennedy, Adolph Meyer, Wm.
Duckworth, Geo. Blake, Robt. Wilson and A. Bates.
Many floral
offerings from relatives and friends were sent as
tokens of sympathy and condolence. Those from out
of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and
Mrs. Sam Parker and son Lester, Albert Horneyer,
Jos. Rain, Mr. and Mrs. John Rain, Mr. and Mrs.
Geo. Rain and son Joseph, Mrs. Young, Mr. and
Mrs. Clyde Hamer and daughter Helen, all of
Alton; Mr. and Mrs. John Killinger, Mr. and Mrs.
Chas. Schrader, Miss Tilla Schrader, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Kuhlenbeck, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Horneyer,
Herman Horneyer, Ned Steham, Mr. and Mrs. Dan
Koch, Mrs. Thos Kennedy, Jr., Mrs. Otto Smith and
daughter Melba and sons Robert and Jas. Matthews
all of St. Louis; Leo Thorp, Mr. and Mrs.
Adelbert Wendler and daughter Irene and Albertn,
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stone and daughters Lucile and
Irma, Walter Steham, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Slinger,
Mr. Burden, Mrs. Martin and Jack Taylor, of Glen
Carbon; Thomas Hawkins of Staunton; and Miss
Laura Daniels, of Edwardsville.
"Dearest
one thou has left us,
and thy loss we deeply feel,
but the God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
Yet again, we
hope to meet thee,
When the days of life are fled,
And in Heaven, with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tears are shed."
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