Jane Eleanor Spray

(Click on image to enlarge)
Image courtesy of the Hobart Historical Society.

The undated image above shows Jane Spray as a young woman, proud of her flowing tresses.

Her obituary, from the Hobart Gazette of November 1, 1918:

Jane Spray Passes Away

The community was surprised and friends and relatives deeply grieved to learn of the sudden death of Miss Jane Spray last Friday, as only a few were aware of her late illness, which was for only a few days. Although enfeebled from heart trouble for several years, and a great sufferer at times, she was about until Saturday prior, when she became ill from a cold, pronounced influenza, which became intense and developed into pneumonia in left lung. She was completely conscious all the time, and the end came suddenly and peacefully. Although serious, as might be expected, her condition was not realized by the family as dangerous. The passing away was like the exhaustion of a burning taper, without the slightest degree of emotion or warning.

Jane Eleanor Spray was born in Hobart, Ind., and was the daughter of Reason and Phoebe (Stearns) Spray, both deceased, and died at the home of her sister, Mrs. A.J. Smith, at 1 o'clock Friday morning, Oct. 25, 1918. One sister and a nephew, Harold Stroupe, survive. Her entire life had been spent in this community. About thirty years of her life were spent serving the public in a business way. When the late Geo. Stocker became postmaster in 1885 Miss Spray became his clerk, and in 1889 she was appointed postmistress, which office she held for seventeen years, and when the late C.O. Johnston became her successor she became his assistant. Her work in the local postoffice covered a period of about a quarter of a century. Serving the public was to her liking and enjoyment. For five years she managed a news stand, but her health conditions necessitated her retirement to private life.

She was a member of several societies and organizations, such as the Woman's Reading Club, the Magazine Club, the Priscillas, and at one time of the Lady Maccabees and Rebekahs. Her membership in the Woman's Reading Club was from its very early organization, and was continuous, although of late her health did not permit the activity she most desired.

Her marked womanly attainments endeared her to many friends, who completely enjoyed her association, and her passing from our midst is sorrowful and lamentable. While possessed with marked likes and dislikes for all things human, her frankness was most admirable. By her good cheer and usefulness, she will be long in the minds of her acquaintances and dear friends.

A private funeral was held at the home at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, Rev. J.A. Ayling of Crown Point, former pastor of the local M.E. church, officiated, and Mrs. Wm. Earle sang two favorite songs. The interment was made in the family lot in the Hobart cemetery.