OBITUARY

MARY STARK HERMANS

Mary Stark Hermans, the wife of Willard S. Hermans, died at her home in this village last Saturday norn, after a lingering illness, caused by a complication of diseases.  For many years she had been an invalid and a patient sufferer.

The funeral of Mrs. Hermans was held from her late home at 12.30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and was largely attended by many sorrowing friends.  Rev. A. A. Vradenburg officiated, assisted by Rev. W. H. Meldrum, also Rev. M. O. Bennett, of Rhinebeck.  Many beautiful flowers gave fragrant testimony of the love and esteem which was felt for the deceased.  The interment was in the family plot in the Dover Plains cemetery. John A. Hanna of Dover Plains had the funeral arrengements in charge.

A woman of fine, clear mentality, a keen insight, a ready wit, a reader of the best authors, an artistic sense with its longing for the true and the beautiful, a generous, hospitable nature with an unbounded affection for her friends and a deep sympathy for the oppressed, bravery and patience to endure a life of invalidism and the vicissitudes of life, an abiding faith and trust in the Father, and a warm kind heart interested in all branches of the work of the church for the benefit of humanity - such was the life of Mary Stark Hermans.  It drew to her many friends, not only in Pawling, but in Hopewell and other towns, where she has resided at various times.

Mrs. Hermans leaves a wide circle of friends and relatives to mourn her loss.  She was a lineal descendant of Col. Wm. Pearce, her grandmother, Amy Pearce, being a grand-daughter of Col. William of the Revolution.  She was related to the Pearce, Dodge, Holmes and Stark families in Pawling. Her father was Theron W. Stark, son of Galeel Stark and Amy Jackson Pearce.  Her mother was Laura Hall.  She leaves one sister, Mrs. Emma Akin, of New York City; one half sister, Mrs. A. C. Hurd, of Pawling, and one half-brother, George Stark of Pawling.  She was married in youth to Willard S. Hermans, who survives her.  One daughter died in infancy and one son, Oliver, three years ago.