Elizabeth Birkey

Notes:

The IMHC Library contains extensive obituary files. Here is one from the

Gospel Herald, Aug. 22, 1935, which celebrates a really lovely woman, Elizabeth Birkey (or Burcky) Albrecht: Albrecht.- Elizabeth, eldest child of a family of 13 children of Valentine & Elizabeth Birkey, was born near Tremont, Ill., July 2, 1851; died at the home of her daughter (Mrs. F. I. Smucker) near Tiskilwa, Ill.; aged 84 y. 21 d. She united with the Mennonite Church in her youth & was faithful until the end. She was very unselfish & was always ready to do for others even at a sacrifice to herself. On Feb. 9, 1873, she was united in marriage to John A. Albrecht of Bureau Co., Ill., & they lived in wedlock for fifty-four years, her husband having preceded her in death in July, 1927. To them were born 6 children, all of whom survive except the youngest daughter (Annie) who passed away in 1901. The 3 sons are Simon of Sycamore, Ill., John & William of Tiskilwa; the daughters, Mrs. Rufus Yoder of Lancaster, Ohio, & Mrs. Frank Smucker of Tiskilwa, with whom mother had made her home since the death of her husband—except for a number of years she had preferred to go back to the little house on the Albrecht homestead she & her husband had built for themselves, during the summer months. Mother was almost blind for several years & unable to read, but she delighted in having the Scriptures read to her. Her voice was often heard in audible prayer when she was in her room by herself, & who shall say that her prayers & petitions to God were made in vain. Twelve days before her death she was seized with an attack of angina pectoris, but she rallied from the attack & looked forward to the time when she might again be with her loved ones at mealtime, but on Tuesday evening she suddenly collapsed & in a very short time she passed on to the other shore. She leaves, besides the 5 children, 20 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 3 brothers, & 3 sisters. Funeral services were held July 23 by her pastor, Bro. C. A. Hartzler, at the Willow Springs Mennonite Church. Interment in the adjoining cemetery.
" Sleep on. beloved, sleep, & take thy rest
Lay down thy head upon thy Savior's breast;
We loved thee well, but Jesus loved thee best,
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight."

Buried:
Willow Springs Mennonite Cemetery

Elizabeth married John A. Albrecht on 9 Feb 1873. John (son of John Albrecht and Marie Ackermann) was born on 20 Apr 1849 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 3 Jul 1927 in Bureau Co., IL; was buried in Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]