Gertrude E. Mires was born near Portland, Ind., January 14, 1895, and died at the home of her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Mires, in Defiance, July 7, 1921, aged 26 years, 5 months and 23 days.

Gertrude was the daughter of William H. and Emma Roseborough Mires. Her mother died when she was a child of five or six years and a few years later her father married Mrs. Ketura Dinsch (now Mrs. G. W. Laver), of Toledo, who ably and lovingly filled the place of a mother to the little girl. Afterward the family returned to Liberty Center where Gertrude’s father died about six years ago.

Gertrude graduated from the Liberty Center High School, then took a course at Ft. Wayne Business College. She was employed in Ft. Wayne for about six months and then accepted a position as bookkeeper and stenographer with the Commercial State Bank in Defiance and from that time until her death she made her home with her uncle and aunt, who lavished upon her the love and consideration of a daughter.

Gertrude had been in the employ of the Commercial State only a few months when she was stricken with tuberculosis and advised to go South. She spent two years in New Mexico and Texas but the disease crept on and a year ago last spring she returned to Defiance and the home of her uncle and aunt where she received the care and attention that the best of parents could bestow upon an own favorite daughter.

Gertrude had a way of winning and keeping friends and here in the home of her childhood, in Defiance and in the South where she sojourned, all who knew her loved her.

A short, private funeral service was held at the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Hannah Mires, in this place, Saturday morning conducted by Rev. D. H. Johnson, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Defiance, and the body was laid to rest beside her father in Young’s cemetery.

A few weeks before her death Gertrude gave directions for her funeral and burial and these directions were carried out to the smallest detail.