Alice C. Castleman, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Alice C. Castleman
DEATHS
GONDRING -- ALICE C., Feb. 12, beloved wife of A. C. Gondring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Castleman of Chesterton, Ind., and sister of Mrs. J. John of Chicago.
Services at residence, 526 Garfield ave., Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p. m. sharp, thence to L. S. & M. S. depot, to Chesterton, Ind. Burial Sunday, Feb. 14, at 2 p. m.
The world has lost and heaven has gained a dear, sweet, loving soul. No evil thought ever was hers, no untruth, no unkind word ever passed her lips. She was love, truth, purity, charity -- all in one.
The above announcement in the Chicago papers was indeed a sad surprise to the people of Chesterton. Mrs. Gondring had visited her parents of this place during the holidays, and, though not well at that time, no thought was entertained of the severe and fatal illness which was to follow so soon. On returning to her home in Chicago and consulting with her physician, an operation was found to be necessary, which was successfully performed on February first, by Doctors Storer, Germer and Jefferson. Under the care of Dr. Storer the family physician, and two of the best trained nurses in Chicago, she seemed to gain in strength for a few days, but on Friday a complication of diseases set in which it seemed impossible to overcome. Drs. Henrotin and Bacon were called for consultation, and all that human skill could do was done for her, but to no avail.
Her relative were summoned to her bedside, but she lived for nearly a week, suffering the most intense pain. During it all she expressed her willingness to die if it should please God to take her at this time.
At different times, when she was suffering the most intense agony, she sang "What a friend we have in Jesus," " I am glad that Jesus loves me," "The gates ajar," and other similar hymns, and requested her pastor and different members of the family to pray with her.
She passed away very quietly and peacefully on Friday morning at three-thirty, surrounded by her husband, parents, brothers and sisters. Only one was absent, Schuyler, who was unable to come.
Funeral services in Chicago were conducted by her pastor, Dr. Krohn. Thirty-two young ladies from the Chicago Business College, of which Mr. Gondring is one of the proprietors, attended the funeral in a body, and as they viewed the remains each placed a rose on the casket, the number representing her age.
Among the floral contribution were: a lyre, Shorthand Department; Gates ajar, Business Practice Department; Circle, Theory Practice Department, of the Chicago Business College; other pieces were from the Preparatory Department, chicago Business College; Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Virden, Miss Lulu Grove, Misses Anna and Gertrude Reese, Miss May Wibirt, Mrs. Frances Hansen, Mrs. W. A. Peters, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Gaylord, Miss Mary H. Moody, Miss Edith Ewing, Mr. A. O. Loosley, Miss Julia A. McClary, Mr. James M. Duer, Mr. John H. Hunter, Mr. W. B. Brochus, Mr. and Mrs. C. Heine, Mrs. Spaulding, Mrs. Fitzmaurice, Miss Fitzmaurice, Miss Merchant, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Stearns, Miss Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Morgan, Mrs. Jerome T. Cook, Miss Barbara Rosie, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Milne, Mrs. Martha Samuelson, Joseph and Lillie Eliason.
The remains were brought to Chesterton, Saturday February 13, at four-thirty. Many friends assembled at the depot to meet the family on their sad return and accompanied them to their home. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Wright, Sunday February 14, at 2 p. m., in the Methodist church, of which she was a member from her childhood until her removal from this place to Chicago. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity, many being obliged to remain on the outside. The hymns used were those which she had sung during her illness.
Mrs. Augustus C. Gondring, nee Alice M. Castleman, was born near Valparaiso, Ind., April 28, 1864. From childhood she manifested a keen interest in educational pursuits, to which she devoted nearly her entire life. She graduated from the public school at an exceptionally early age, and when but 16 taught her first term of school. Enthused by her success in this early attempt, she became an active participant in all exercises which might assist in promoting the welfare of her chosen vocation.
She was married to Mr. Augustus C. Gondring on Jan. 8, 1887, and from that time until her death she made Chicago her home. Even after her marriage she persisted in acting in the capacity of instructor, occupying a position in her husband's business college. But, owing to her decline in health and the earnest protestations of Mr. Gondring, she ceased her active relations with the works she loved so well after a few years.
As a daughter, sister and wife she was kind, loving and tender; forgetful of self, thoughtful of others. Her one ambition was to advance the interests of those whom she loved, always seeking to abreviate their sorrows and hardships and to heighten their joys. The needy were never turned from her door unaided.
Truly "The world has lost and heaven has gained a dear, sweet, loving, soul. She was love, truth, purity, charity -- all in one."
Among those who were present at the funeral from abroad were John Gondring, sr. and John Gondring, jr., of Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Loring, Mrs. J. Hendershot and Miss Mable Green, of Valparaiso; Mr. F. Virden, Mr. S. Drury and Libbie Templeton, of Chicago.
Newspaper: The Westchester Tribune
Date of Publication: February 20, 1897
Volume Number: 13
Issue Number: 45
Page: 5
Column(s): 4 and 5
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook