Obituary

  After a brave struggle for life since undergoing the ordeal of two major operations within ten days, James I. Mack of Viola, Illinois passed peacefully away early Thursday morning, January 19, 1928, at St. Anthony's hospital of Rock Island. While his death was not unexpected, the last two days it brought profound sorrow to his numerous friends.
  Naturally of the most cheerful disposition, he possessed the happy faculty of making friends easily, which was shown by the large attendance at his funeral, and the many beautiful floral tributes and spiritual bouquets. Kind, cheerful and sincere are weak terms to use in an attempt to describe his many virtues. He will be especially missed by the children of his community.
  He scattered sunshine everywhere. If everyone to whom he had done a kindly deed during his life were to pass his grave and place thereupon a single flower he would indeed sleep beneath an avalanche of fragrance.
  James Mack was born in Edgington township, Rock Island county, on February 1, 1874. He lived his entire life in Mercer county. He was the oldest son of John and Mary Mack, pioneer settlers of Mercer county. His mother preceded him in death when he was a small child. His father passed away two years ago. He received his education in Viola schools, graduating from Viola high school. He later attended St. Ambrose college of Davenport.
  Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Tille Kehoe of Milan on November 27, 1900. She preceded him in death sixteen years. There were two children born to their union- Mary, who passed away fourteen years ago at the Villa de Chantel in Rock Island, and Charles J., who survives at home. He is also survived by two brothers, John M. of Rock Island, and Thomas Edward of Viola.
  He was a member of St. John's Catholic church of Viola, also a member of the Knights of Columbus at Galesburg. He was a member of the school board, District 55, for twenty-two years and president of the same for eighteen years. He took active part in affairs for the betterment of his community. He was a member of the Matherville Aerie of Eagles No. 2019 and Rock Island Order of Owls No. 1197.
  Funeral services were held from St. John's Catholic church in Viola, with Father John Shields a celebrant of the Requiem high mass. Interment was in St. John's cemetery at Preemption. Pallbearers were four nephews, Louis, Frank and Vincent Mack, Frank Kehoe and two cousins, James Kelleher and Walter Mack.
  Those from a distance present at the funeral were Vincent Mack of Corning, Iowa; Frank Kehoe of Hamlet, Indiana; John Johnson, Harold Wycoll and Frank McFate of Galesburg; James Connley, Ernest Rosebome, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sudlow, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sudlow, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Joseph De Payse, Mrs. Mary McCarty, Mrs. Frank Lemon and two daughters, Louis Mack, John Mack and daughter Grace, all of Rock Island and Mary Starr of Davenport.
"Hearts that are great and often love,
And never manifest their best;
Their greatest greatness is unknown
Earth knows a little--God knows the rest."
(Aledo Times Record, 01 Feb 1928, p. 7)
(1928)