Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

Death of John Widick
The sad news of the passing away of our friend and neighbor, John Widick, was brought to this city at about 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 23, 1896. Although not unexpected by immediate friends and family, the sudden end of the well spent life is sadly deplored by all. The deceased had been a sufferer from asthma and complicated bowel and stomach trouble for the past 12 or 14 years, and his constant suffering were borne without complaint. He was a loving husband, and the indulgent parent and a kind neighbor. Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church in this city, Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and the remains were laid to rest under the auspices of the Blackwell, GAR Post, of which he was a member in the Blackwell Cemetery, followed by the largest procession of sorrowing friends that ever passed through this city.
John Widick was born in Macon County Illinois, February 2, 1839. He enlisted as a soldier in 1861, served three months, and re-enlisted August 9, 1862 and served in the 116th Illinois infantry until June 7, 1863. His parents died while he was in the war. In 1866 he was joined in marriage to Nancy Hizer, in Macon County Illinois. Six children were born to them, three girls and three boys, five of whom are still living. He moved with his family to Greenwood County Kansas. In 1875 and to Sumner County, near Belle Plaine in 1876, where he resided for 18 years prior to his move to his K. County claim, and 1 1/2 miles northeast of this city in the spring of 1894

Card of Thanks
In behalf of the bereft family of the late John Widick, I wish to thank the many kind friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted in his last illiness and burial and especially do we wish to thank the Blackwell GAR Post for favors shown…Mrs Nancy Widick.