One of the sad tragedies of recent years occurred here at 11:00 p. m. Saturday, September 9, 1945, when death came after a lingering, incurable illness to Mrs. Merrill Dunham, 42.  The young wife and mother died in LaHarpe hospital only a little more than an hour before her son, rushed home from Navy "boot" camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, could reach her side.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon in the Union church, with Rev. Stanley B. Hopper officiating. Vocal selections were rendered by Mrs. Wendell Claycomb, organist, and Mrs. Erma Rowe Hecox. Interment was made in LaHarpe cemetery.

Mrs. Merill [sic] LeRoy Dunham was born August 2, 1903 at Woodhull, Henry county, Illinos [sic].  She departed this life on Saturday, September 9, 1945 at 11:00 p. m., having attained the age of 42 years, one month and six days.  Her maiden name was Miss Harriett Lucile Taylor and she was a daughter of the late Harry L. and Mrs. Etta Burd Taylor, late of Woodhull, Illinois.

Mrs. Dunham received her elementary and high school education at her childhood home in Woodhull, where she resided for the first twenty years of her life.  She studied education in the Illinois State Teachers Colleges, first at the Northern Illinois Normal in DeKalb and then at the Western State Teachers College in Macomb and thus prepared for the profession of public school teaching.  Twenty years of her life were devoted to the noble calling of teaching, first in the Woodhull public schools and later in the rural schools of both Hancock and Henderson Counties in Illinois. Being gifted in musical talent, she also served as an instructor in music.  During these years of service, she was privileged to be the efficient teacher of many pupils, who appreciate her life of service.

In March, 1926, she was united in marriage at Carthage, Illinois, to Mr. Merrill LeRoy Dunham. To this happy union were born two children, a son, Seaman Merrill Junior Dunham of the U. S. Navy, and a daughter, Virginia Mae, who departed this life in early infancy.  The happy family resided first at LaCrosse, then Peoria, Illinois, and since 1933 their home has been in LaHarpe.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter.

Mrs. Dnham [sic] was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church at Woodhull until 1945, when she became a member of the Union church of LaHarpe.  Her untimely passing is mourned by her husband, her son, Seaman Merrill Junior and two sisters; Mrs. Emma Cherrie of Joliet, Illinois and Mrs. Grace Gillett of LaHarpe.  A host of friends join the family in the sorrow that has come to our community in the passing of one beloved by all who knew her.

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A later photograph was published with this obituary.  Unknown original news source.