Bertha Belle Burnham (1905-1934)

1921 LHS freshman class	1921 LHS Round Table Society

Bertha Bell Burnham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burnham, was born in Lowell, Ind., November 13, 1905, and quietly passed on to that dear land, ever made attractive and beautiful to us, because it is the eternal home of the most lovely and beautiful people we have ever known in all our lives.

Miss Burnham graduated from the grade school and also the high school of Lowell, graduating with the class of 1925. She completed her professional education in 1928, graduating from the Pestalozzi Frobeb Teachers College, Chicago, Illinois, and for four years was a teacher in the public schools of her native city, honored and loved by all of the pupils who came under her personal charm and instruction. Clouds o'ercast the morning sky and the sun hath set while yet it is day. A young, useful and beautiful life has written finis at the close of the last chapter of her life's book, whereon there is neither stain nor blot.

From a little child of tender years, up to the hour of her triumph and eternal reward, she lived victoriously in the greatness and simplicity of the Christian faith. In the Sunday School as a pupil and finally as a faithful teacher, on through her first communion and membership in the church of our dear Lord, she gave undeviating devotion and a practical living service. She united with the First Methodist Episcopal church of Lowell in the year 1925. Not only did she give sacrificially of her strength to her church and community but also of her means that others might enjoy the same Christian facilities that she herself enjoyed.

Bertha closed her eyes to the pain and suffering of this world, which she bore uncomplainingly, in the Passavant hospital, Chicago, on March 12, 1934.

All that love could do; all that medical skill and scientific ability could do; all that neighborly interest and practical help could do was not sufficient to restore her health and strength.

Her father and mother, her brothers and uncle, have the genuine sympathy of the entire community. The city is greatly indebted to this bereaved family in having given it a superb Christian character and an outstanding Christian life, which shall be for many years, the pattern and example, for the children to follow, and for the adult and matured to emulate. As a member of the Eastern Star, a member of the faculty of the grade school, and as a member of the church, she gave the best that human life can produce -- a Christian character.

Funeral services were held in the M.E. church Thursday at 2 P.M., where a large number of relatives and friends gathered to pay their last respects to a young lady they had loved and respected in life. The funeral service was in charge of Rev. R.E. Crowder, pastor of the church. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery, with undertakers Sheets & Son, in charge.