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| John William Simister (photo NOT included in obituary) |
John William Simister
The Coalville Times, January 22, 1904
(No photo accompanying obituary)
John William Simister was born at Evir Knoll, New Mills Derbyshire, England, on June 16, 1846. He came to America and located in Coalville in September, 1862, making his home here until his death, which occurred on Wednesday, January 13th, 1904, after an illness lasting about 24 hours. For four months he had been ailing with stomach trouble, and it is thought that cancer of the stomach was the cause of his death.
Deceased has been a prominent man in Coalville and has taken an active part in helping to build up the same. He was a very quiet, unassuming man, plain and always the same; was highly respected by everybody and the more he was known the better he was liked. He was an honest man in every particular, and could always be relied upon under all circumstances. During the twenty-seven years that he was leader of the ward choir he was always on hand to do his part to make that organization a success; and the same can be said of his serviced as conductor of the stake choir. He has done a great deal to advance the musical interests of this ward and stake. Deceased was an employee of the Coalville Co-op for over twenty years, serving as clerk until nine years ago, since which time he has been book keeper; and he was perfectly reliable in all his dealings.
The funeral, which was held from the Stake Tabernacle last Sunday afternoon, was the most largely attended of any gathering of the kind ever held in Coalville, the large building being filled with sorrowing friends who had come from nearly all parts of the county to pay respect to one whom they had learned to love. The speakers at the services were Elders W. W. Cluff, Alma Eldredge, F. H. Wright, Bishop Frank Croft and Prest. M. W. Taylor, all of whom paid a glowing tribute to the memory and good deeds of the deceased. All the members of the stake choir were present and rendered very beautifully the favorite songs of their departed leader. By special request Mrs. J. A. Smith very beautifully sang a favorite funeral solo of the deceased; the choir joining in the chorus. The building was beautifully decorated with white drapery and potted plants. The floral tributes were very beautiful, among them being a large wreath from the employees of the Co-op; a pillow from the stake choir and a harp from the ward choir. The procession to the cemetery was the longest ever seen in Coalville, extending for over half a mile. Immediately following the corpse and relatives, the Seventies marched in a body and next came the Stake choir, followed by vehicles. At the grave the choir sang a hymn and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder E. H. Rhead. All that was mortal of John W. Simister was laid to rest in the silent earth to await the morning of the resurrection of the just.
