This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Rodefer, Martin, Rongey, Lanigan, Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gBB.2ACE/1108 Message Board Post: Democrat-Register, Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, April 24, 1903. OBITUARY. There occurred a death in Bonne Terre, on Friday last week, that caused a gloom of sadness over our entire community when Mrs. A. Rodefer, whom we all honored and respected, passed to her heavenly reward at the ripe age of 75 years. This good old lady had resided in our midst for many years and her gracious disposition and kindness of heart made her a general favorite. Her mission on earth seemed to consist of seeking to brighten the lives of those around her, and her acts of genuine charity and gentleness would require columns to narrate. Her death was quiet and peaceful. Her work was finished and God called her home. The remains were conveyed to Potosi [Washington County] for interment and the funeral services were held in the Catholic Church at that place. Avoline F. Martin was born in Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky, August 17, 1827, and became a resident of this state, at Old Mines, Washington County, in 1846. On August 17, 1848, she was married to James C. Rodefer, who preceded her to the grave 31 years ago. To the union were born three children, but one died in infancy. The survivors are: Mrs. William Rongey of this place, the eldest, and with whom deceased made her home for the past fifteen years, and Mrs. R. C. Lanigan, also a resident of Bonne Terre. She lived to see twenty grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In 1886, Mrs. Rodefer embraced the Catholic faith and lived a consistent member of that church until her death at 4 p.m., April 17, 1903. She was the last of a family of fourteen children, none of whom she ever saw after leaving Kentucky, but one, Benjamin F. Martin, who visited her twenty years after the first separation. May she rest in peace. Note: Mrs. Rodefer is buried in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Potosi, Washington County, Missouri, with her husband, James C. Rodefer. According to the Washington County Cemetery records, James C. Rodefer was born May 16, 1824, and died Oct. 2, 1872. Please note also that the Washington County Cemetery records indicate a date of death for Avoline of April 16, 1903, and above obit which was published in the newspaper indicates a date of death of Friday, April 17, 1903. According to my perpetual calendar, April 17, 1903, fell on a Friday, so I assume the newspaper obit is correct, but I've not seen the tombstone, nor am I related, so I don't know that for a fact.