Mourning cards, which first became popular in the early 1800’s, are often little works of art that memorialize a lost loved one (A Grave Interest). They were typically passed out after the funeral and were carefully saved as a momento to remember the lost loved one. Click here to learn more about the tradition of mourning cards.
John Stark’s card was typical for its time. It’s 4 x 6 inches on black card stock, with a beautiful floral design printed in silver. The card has his name, date of death, age, and a sentimental Victorian-style verse:
“Dearest father, thou has left us,
And our loss we deeply feel,
But ’tis God that has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
Yet again we hope to meet thee
When the day of life is fled,
When in heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tear is shed.”
This type of card was more expensive to make and was treasured and saved down through the years. It was usually distributed after the funeral service (A Grave Interest). John’s card was made by the Ideal Memorial Card Company in Bluffton, Ohio. Marion Skewis Merrick, who was five when her grandfather John died, was given this card by her mother (John Stark’s daughter, Sabina Stark Skewis).
John’s obituary gives a little more detail about his life and his last day:
“He had been in his usual health all week and had attended church each night. He was at work Saturday and received word that all of his 10 children would be home to spend Thanksgiving. This so elated Mr. Stark that he told his wife and they sent a boy to buy two turkeys. The boy left at 2 p.m. and when he returned with the turkeys about an hour later he found Mr. Stark lying on the ground near the barn. Mr. Stark was picked up and taken to the house, but he did not regain consciousness.” (John Stark Obituary)
John Stark is buried in the Sansome Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery (Find A Grave).
John Stark – Skewis Family Tree – #6
Sources:
Neighbors, Joy; Mourning Cards: The Art of Death; A Grave Interest; 14 Feb 2014; retrieved 04 May 2020
Stark, John; Obituary; Genweb; Fayette County, PA
Stark, John; Sansome Cemetery; Find A Grave; retrieved 04 May 2020