The text of C. C. Gaither’s (1858-1945) obituary.

Christopher Columbus Gaither, son of Silas and Miranda [Marinda] Gaither was born May 4, 1858, near Thompsonville, Illinois, and departed this life March 23 [1945], in the Moore hospital in Benton, Illinois, at the age of 86 years and 10 months and 19 days. He was united in marriage to Isabelle Adams Plasters, now deceased, in 1877 [1878]. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Dora McCollum, Akin, Illinois, Mrs. Effie Summers, Benton, Illinois.

In 1883, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Summers, also deceased. To this union were born 11 children, seven boys and four girls, namely, Millard, Portland, Oregon; Carter, Enumclaw, Washington; Ernest, Decatur, Illinois; Silas and Riley, Thompsonville, Illinois; Roy and Hobert, deceased; Mayme Burg, Sacramento, California; Fannie Brinker, Hot Springs, Arkansas; Mila Ramsey, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and Marie, deceased.

In 1934, he was united in marriage to Florence Aiken. He spent his entire life in Franklin County, being a farmer until his retirement, when he moved to Akin, where he has lived for a number of years.

He will be sadly missed by his many friends and neighbors. He leaves to mourn his passing eight children, 26 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, one brother, Matthew Ing of Michigan, one sister, Paralee Summers, of Thompsonville.

He would not want the ones he loved

To grieve for him today

We must not say that he is dead

For he is just away

Away upon a journey

To a land that’s bright and fair

And though we will miss him here

We know he’s happy there

And memories will bring

New comforts every day

As we recall he’s not dead

But just away

Card of Thanks

We sincerely wish to thank our many friends and neighbors for their assistance during the death of our dear father, Columbus Gaither. We especially wish to thank those that gave the floral offerings and the Drake Funeral Home and Rev. C. C. Mitchell for his words of comfort—The Gaither Children.

Note:

Columbus Gaither’s death certificate lists the cause of death as accident; he was struck by a car while walking down the road near his home. The driver was a Summers, and may have been one of his relatives.