Grace Florence Lofftus was born in Ellison township, Warren County, IL on January 20, 1862, and died in Abingdon December 13, 19195, aged 53years, 10months 23 days.

She was the daughter of Andrew J. and Mrs. Lavinia S. Lofftus, and one of 12 children, 11 of whom grew to mature years. Two sisters and two brothers survive, Mrs. E. A. Beam of Indianola, Ia; Mrs. Cora E. Golden of Abingdon; Azro P. Lofftus of Warren co and Ora G. of Peoria, Ill.

Mrs. Shoop grew to young womanhood on the homestead farm, which was her birthplace. Then in 1875 she came to Avon, Fulton County, to the home of her sister, Mrs. Beam, where she lived and attended school two years. She then returned home and at the opening of school in the fall of 1878 she came to Abingdon and attended Hedding College that year.

On June 04, 1879, she was married to J. Wesley Shoop, sin her mother's home. the place of her birth, near Roseville, Warren County, the Rev. N. T. Allen conducting the marriage service. Since her marriage to Mr. hoop their home has been at Abingdon for the past 15 years in town. Zelma is their only child.

Mrs. Shoop was converted to God when 9 years old. When she came to Abingdon in the fall of 1879 she transferred her membership to this church under the pastorate of Rev. M. A. Head.

While Dr. Buckey was pastor she brought about the organization of the Woman's Home Mission Society of the Abingdon church, which has continued ever since; for 13 years she was its president; until her health began to break, something over a year ago, always an officer, and in a special way upon her heart. She made it her special care in the church.

She was president of the Galesburg District W. H. M. S. during two years as president of this local society she was also superintendent of the Queen Esther Society, the young's ladies, and the Home Guards, the girls society.

Last Rites of Mrs. J. W. Shoop

The funeral services of Mrs. J. W. Shoop were held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30pm at the Methodist church. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. T. Pierce, assisted by Dr. W. D. Agnew. The music was furnished by a quartette composed of Mrs. W. D. Agnew, Miss Alma Berterman, Mrs. E. W. Cutler, Mrs. Henry Van Fuyl?, who sand two numbers, "Rock of Ages and Abide with Me" entitled Just for Today" with Mrs. F. J. Graves at the organ, Those who acted as pallbearers were W. T. Weisbach, George ???ore, E. J. Earel, A. b. Cable, T. J. White. Dr. A. P. Rolen Interment was in the Abingdon Mausoleum the large attendance of relatives and friends at the services and many beautiful flowers.

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