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- Charles Bassett obituary, Feb. 6, 1930, Kinmundy Express
- Last Thursday word was received here by Mr. and Mrs. Ira MORRIS that their
son-in-law, Charles BASSETT, was killed in an auto accident about 4 mil
southwest of Astoria, Ill. on Route 31. Mr. and Mrs. MORRIS and son, Loy, and
R.J. ANDREWS departed immediately for St. Louis, while Ray GEORGE, Bill
MORRIS, Jr., and Elmer BASSETT departed for Astoria. Charles was identified by
an identification card in his pocket. The undertaker at Astoria called Mrs.
BASSETT in St. Louis who in turn called her parents, Mr and Mrs. MORRIS.
Charles had been to Chicago on business and was returning to his home in St.
Louis. From all reports, the pavement had been clear of ice all the way to
Chicago. There was a small skiff of snow on the road and at this particular
place, ice covered the road. The car skidded, turned upside down, and landed
on Charles. He was driving a Ford Roadster. There were no eye witnesses to the
accident but a man in a car was approaching him. He stated that he noticed a
car with lights approaching in a distance of about a mile and then he noticed
all at once the lights disappeared. He drove on and came to a car turned over
with the lights still burning. He stopped his car and went to look and found
Charles underneath it. He was practically dead then. The windshield was
broken and the top torn off. Otherwise the car was not damaged and was driven
here by Billy MORRIS on his return Friday evening. The verdict of the
coroners’ jury was that he came to his death at 6:30 o’clock Thursday night,
near Astoria, because of shock, contributory causes being internal injuries
received when his automobile upset. The body was accompanied by his father,
Elmer BASSETT, and was taken to Peoria by motor, thence to Mattoon and thence
to Kinmundy on the train, arriving here on I.C. train No. 3 Friday night. The
funeral services were held from the M.E. Church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Monroe
SMITH of Patoka, officiating, assisted by Rev. Orin H. YOUNG. Interment was
made in Evergreen Cemetery. Charles was a friend to everyone and this fact was
emphasized by the large floral tribute and the church being filled to capacity
Sunday afternoon.
"Leaves have their time to fall;
And flowers to wither at the north wind’s breath
And stars to set, but breath
Thou hasn’t all seasons of thine own O! Death."
Our community was sadly shocked and grieved Thursday evening as the news
flashed over the town of the sudden death of Charles BASSETT, which occurred
four miles out from Astoria, Ill. on the State Highway No. 31, when his car
overturned and he was pinned beneath. He was returning from Chicago to his
home in Overland, Mo., when the accident happened about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,
January 30, 1930. In one unbroken caravan the myriads of mankind from
creations dawn have gone out into the mysterious night of death. No single
traveler has ever yet returned. There is no mystery like death, and we know
too, that.
"Death is but a path that all must trod, If man would ever pass to Go
McWhirter
Charles, son of Elmer and Maggie BASSETT, was born on a farm nine miles west
of Kinmundy, June 12, 1905, being at the time of his passing 24 years, 5
months and 17 days of age. Just in the Springtime of his life, when that life
held such cherished hopes and ambitions, the death angel flitted by and closed
the bright blue eyes and his soul drifted out upon the great ocean of
Eternity. Thus we are brought face to face with realization "That in the midst
of life we are in Death." On this farm and in the parental home he grew to
young manhood, when he went to Chicago and entered the Ray Auto School. After
completing his studies he accepted a position in that city where he remained
until he transferred to the St. Louis County Water Co., and then to Wellston
Motor Co, as night foreman of their plant. On Nov. 12, 1927, he was united in
marriage with Miss Vera MORRIS of this city, and took her to Overland, Mo.,
where he purchased and furnished a beautiful home for her. In this new home
they found great pleasure and were serenely happy and contented. This
happiness seemed complete when God blessed them with an infant son, Dec. 15,
1929, the child being the delight of the found father and mother. They called
him Charles Roy. This son, with the loving and devoted wife and mother are
left to mourn their great loss in the passing of this, their most beloved one.
He also leaves a kind father and indulgent mother, three sisters, three
brothers, and many warm friends. He was of a sunny and cheerful disposition,
straight forward and honest, and made friends with all with whom he came in
contact. Thus his soul has returned to the great unknown from whence it came
"That Beautiful Isle of Some Where." The work so early begun is finished, but
the spirit lives on. This passing has brought great sorrow and desolation to
the loved ones who mourn him deeply.
But -We know not where His islands life
Their fonded palms in air,
We only know we cannot drift.
Beyond His love and care?
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