Birkey, Phoebe Good (1863-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Dec 27 p. 10

Birth date: 1863 Sep 5

text of obituary:

RESIDENT OF EUREKA, ILL. HOME, DIES AT AGE 99, LEAVES 178 DESCENDANTS

Metamora, Ill. — Mrs. Phoebe Birkey, a resident of Maple Lawn home at Eureka for the past 11 years, died there Dec. 16 at the age of 99.

A native of Hopedale, she and her husband, Valentine Birkey, homesteaded in Decatur County, Kan. following their marriage in 1882. Her 178 survivors include nine children, 40 grandchildren, 140 great grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at the East Bend Mennonite Church near Fisher, where she and her husband spent most of their married life.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jan 10 p. 8

text of obituary:

Mrs. Phoebe Birkey

Mrs. Phoebe (Good) Birkey was born near Hopedale, Ill. on Sept. 5, 1863, the daughter of Joseph and Kathryn Good.

On Jan. 15, 1882 she was married to Valentine Birkey. They lived near Hopedale for five years. In 1877 [sic 1887?] they homesteaded on the prairie in Decatur County, Kan. There they built and lived in a sod house where three of their children were born. They lived in Kansas for eight years.

In 1895, with the help of a sister's husband, they moved to a farm near Fisher, Ill. In 1917 they built the house north of the East Bend Mennonite Church and lived there until Mr. Birkey died in September 1928. She then lived with her children until 1951 when she moved to the Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka, Ill., spending the rest of her days there. Here she made many friends. She moved on to her eternal home on Dec. 16, 1962.

Surviving are her nine children, Mrs. Mollie Zehr, Mrs. Bertha Heiser, Joe Birkey, and Alvin Birkey, all of Fisher, Mrs. Katie Zehr of Ludlow, Ill., Silas Birkey of Flanagan, Ill., Joel Birkey of Ludlow, Mrs. Ada Foley of Norwalk, Calif., and Mrs. Edna Schertz of Saybrook, Ill.; three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Beller, 93, of Maple Lawn Homes, Mrs. Kate Horsch, 91, of Washburn, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Birkey, 88, of Sunset Rest Home, Geneva, Neb.; 40 grandchildren, 120 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, two sisters, two brothers, four grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

In her youth she gave her heart to the Lord, remaining a member of the Mennonite church. She lived a long life, and her mind remained clear to the last. Her life was a quiet one marked by great concern for all members of her family. She will be missed by many.

The funeral service was held at the East Bend Mennonite Church near Fisher, Ill. on Dec. 19, 1962, with Rev. Ivan Birkey, a grandson, and Rev. J. Alton Horst officiating. Burial was made in the church cemetery. Six grandsons carried the casket.