WELL KNOWN MT. VERNON WOMAN DIES
Death Comes Unexpectedly to Mrs. Mary L. Strattan, Widow of Rynd L. Strattan, Last Night.

DEATH UNEXPECTED AND A GREAT SHOCK

Was Born In Indiana but Most of Long and Useful Life Had Been Spent in Mt. Vernon and This County.

Mrs. Mary L. Strattan, widow of Rynd L. Strattan, died last night at her home, 918 Taylor avenue, at 7:50 o’clock. Mrs. Strattan had been in poor health many years but was confined to her bed only about four weeks by the illness which resulted in her death.

Mrs. Strattan’s death came as a great shock to her family and friends, as her condition had greatly improved following the first days of her illness, and it was thought she was getting along very well. Complete recovery naturally was not expected, but there seemed no reason to expect her death in the near future.

Member of Old Family

Mrs. Strattan was a member of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Jefferson county, and most of her long and well spent life was passed in this county.

She was born near North Vernon, Ind., April 17, 1844, and about twenty years later came with her father’s family to this county where the remainder of her life was spent. Her father, the late James K. Jones, located with his family at Lynchburg, in the east part of the county, where Mr. Jones lived until he located in Mt. Vernon. In his lifetime he was prominent in agricultural and business circles. The father and family came to Illinois in a wagon train, railroad facilities in the section being very limited at that time.

Died in 84th Year

Mrs. Strattan’s age at the time of her death was 83 years, 4 months and 3 days.

Her marriage with Rynd L. Strattan took place August 3, 1867, and their married life was terminated by Mr. Strattan’s death March 22, 1915.

Mr. Strattan in his day was one of the most prominent business men in Mt. Vernon , and played an important part in church, lodge and civic circles.

Five children were born to their union, of whom two died in infancy. The survivors are Keith T. Strattan, Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Olivia P. Swift and Chauncey L. Strattan, both of Gulf Port, Fla.

Six grandchildren survive.

Mrs. Strattan was one of ten children and the last survivor of her father’s family.

Spent Winters in Florida

Mr. and Mrs. Strattan for many years prior to the death of the former, spent their winters in Florida , and Mrs. Strattan continued the custom after his death.

Had Many Friends

No woman in the history of Mt. Vernon was more beloved than Mrs. Strattan. She was of a friendly disposition and enjoyed the companionship of her friends. She never forgot a friend under any circumstances, and seemed especially to love her old friends, whose affection for her was not lessened by lapse of years, or separation.

She loved her home and family and stopped at no sacrifice in their behalf, and the happiness and welfare of her loved ones was always uppermost in her heart and mind. Mrs. Strattan was a woman of many virtues and a consistent and devoted Christian. She was practically a lifelong member of the First M. E. church.

The world is better for her life and the good she did in her quiet, unassuming manner.

Funeral Monday at Home

Unless otherwise announced at churches and the Chautauqua tomorrow, funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at the home, conducted by Dr. Geo. R. Goodman of the First M. E. church, and burial will follow at Oakwood.

The body will lie in state at the home Monday between the hours of 10 o’clock a.m. and 12 o’clock noon.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: Aug. 20, 1927
Submitted by Brenda Hereford and Nancy E. Davis