Mrs. Hannah Bunker

3 January 1919

Hannah Marie Whittier was born at Brighton, Maine, June 16, 1842, and departed this life at Roberts, Illinois, Friday, January 3rd, 1919, age 66 years, 6 months and 17 days. On account of the death of her mother she was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Bigelow when she was 18 month old. She lived with them until she grew to womanhood. A young man by the name of John E. Bunker also made his home part of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow. He was five years older than she and when he was only sixteen years old and she eleven, he went to sea on a whaling ship. After four and a half years of this perilous business in which he had been home only a few times and then for only a short visit he shipped aboard a merchant vessel which did most of its trading in East India and Australian ports. Later he entered the U.S. Navy and took an active part in the Civil War. On account of his work she saw little of him but during the latter part of the war he was assigned to light house work nearer home. His enlistment having expired he returned to his home and on the 24th of November, 1864, they were united in marriage. After their marriage he gave up the life on the sea and they lived for three years at Portland, Maine. They then came to Chicago where they lived one year. In 1868, they moved to Grundy County, Illinois, and engaged in farming. This was their home until in 1871, when they came to Lyman township, Ford county, Illinois, which was their home until their deaths. Mr. Bunker died, February 19, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Bunker were the parents of five children: Willie who died in infancy; Mrs. Louella Fairley of Roberts; Irving, Everette and Mrs. Irene Bunker, of Sawyer, North Dakota. She also leaves nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Bunker has been a member of the Methodist church in Roberts for many years. Her religious life was faithful and devoted. Her character was above reproach. She alsways had an active interest in all good causes. For many years she taught the women's Bible class in the Sunday school and was always faithful in attendance at all services when she was able to attend. Although she has gradaually weakened physically, she never did spiritually, and only a short time before her death she expressed herself as ready to go. When the call came it found her waiting.
Mrs. Bunker was very fond of poetry and used frequently to qote from the master poets and others. She had an active mind and among those who knew her well she was recognized as authority on many subjects. She was of a jovial disposition when with her intimate acquaintances but when with strangers of those with whom she was not so well acquainted was of a retiring nature. She was one of the best of neighbors, and always a friend when a friend was needed.
The funeral service was held at the home, Monday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. D.G. DuBois officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery.
-Roberts Herald, January 8, 1919

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank all the neighbors who so kindly assisted at the funeral of our beloved mother, those who gave flowers, and those who furnished music, and the many others who so kindly assisted in many ways.
Mrs. Louella Fairley,
Irving G. Bunker,
Everett E. Bunker,
Mrs. Irene Beighle
-Roberts Herald, Jaunuary 8, 1919