Bertha Gilbert Of Waltonville Dies At Home

Mrs. Bertha Gilbert, 77, died at 12:30 p.m. Friday at her home on RFD 2, Waltonville.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Antioch Baptist church, of which she was a member, with the Rev. Clarence W. Coats officiating. Burial will be in Knob Prairie cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Fry Funeral Home in Waltonville where friends may call after 2:00 p.m. today. At noon Sunday the body will lie in state until the funeral hour.

Mrs. Gilbert was born Oct. 3, 1883 in Jefferson county, the daughter of James and Sara (Duffer) Shurtz.

On Nov. 1, 1904, she was married to Rolla R. Gilbert, who survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Kenneth Shurtz of Waltonville and Jimmie Shurtz of Ch?. two daughters, Mrs. Parthena Peirce of Bluford and Mrs. Wilma Mae Phillips of Sterling, Ill.; two brothers, Rufus Shurtz of Mt. Vernon and William Shurtz of Waltonville; a sister, Mrs. Grace Hodge of Mt. Vernon; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, a daughter, three brothers and four sisters.

**NOTE**
Submitted By: Doris (Earls) Lortie, daughter of Parthena (Gilbert) Earls Pierce

Obituary should read that her survivors were 2 sons Kenneth Sidney Gilbert and James (Jimmie) Shurtz Gilbert, and 2 daughters Parthena Pierce and Wilma Mae Phillips.

Bertha Gilbert

Bertha (Shurtz) Gilbert, daughter of James and Sarah (Duffur) Shurtz, was born in Blissville Township October 3, 1883, and departed this life April 7, 1961, at her home at the age of 77 years, 6 months and 4 days.

She was united in marriage to Rolla R. Gilbert November 1, 1904.

To this union were born six children, namely; Kenneth of Waltonville, Parthena Pierce of Bluford, Jimmie of Chester and Wilma Philllips of Sterling; all of whom survive. Two children, Alberta and Ralph, died in infancy.

Mrs. Gilbert also leaves to mourn her passing, two brothers, William of Waltonville, Rufus of Mt. Vernon, one sister Grace Hodge of Mt. Vernon, fifteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Four sisters, Lizzie, Molly, Bessie, Julie and three brothers, Arthur, Robert, and Sidney preceded her in death.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert and children moved to the family home in Elk Prairie Township in 1919 where they made many lasting friends, always ready to lend a helping hand and word of encouragement.

Mrs. Gilbert professed her faith in Christ as Savior at an early age and was a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Her life on earth is ended
And in heaven just begun
She has laid down her cross
And gone to claim her crown.

Through our tears we see her
Hovering near heaven's gate
Waiting 'til we come to her
Anxious that we not be late.

Funeral services by Rev. Clarence Bats (not sure of first letter of his last name) assisted by Rev. Byford Denham. Songs by the Denham Sisters.

Submitted by: Doris (Earls) Lortie