Life & Death
Ethel was born in 1896, in the Hamlet of Berne, youngest child of Melvin W. Becker and Edith I. Young. She died after drowning at the age of 9, on March 26, 1904, and was buried in the Knox Cemetery.
Obituary
The village was shocked, Friday afternoon , by the news of the drowning of Miss Ethel Becker, aged 9 years, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Becker. Early in the forenoon Miss Ethel asked permission to play with a playmate, Miss Millie Page, which was granted. The two girls then went to the mill dam for the purpose of fishing. At about 10:30 Miss Page returned leaving Ethel alone on the bank. Ethel did not return for dinner, but as she was in the habit of staying with some of her friends, of which she had many, no alarm was felt by her parents. However, as she did not return in the afternoon, a search was commenced by her parents which resulted in the discovery of her body in the mill dam. Dr. Deitz was at once summoned who pronounced life to have been extinct for some hours. The verdict of Coroner Schupp, who was at once notified, was accidental drowning. The funeral was held at her home, Monday afternoon, and was conducted by Rev. DeGraft. The numerous floral offerings testified to her many friends. The afficted family have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.
