The Daily Free Press and the Times, Fri., Mar. 30, 1906
Death of a Pioneer.
Dr. R. S. Heady of this city, who had been lying at the point of death for several days, passed away peace-fully just after noon on Saturday.
The funeral services took place at 2 p. m. on Monday, from the family residence, 300 North 12th street. They were under the auspices of Keystone Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and were very largely attended. The religious services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Longston and Rev, J. W. Ferrell.
Reuben Slavens Heady was born in Indiana on October 9, 1837. He was married in 1867 in Jackson county, Mo., to Mary A. Connor, and in 1869 took a claim near Clear Creek, in this county. It is of note that he had the contract for building the first Clear Creek school house. In 1876 he moved to Independence, which city has ever since been his home.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heady: Eva, Pearl and Maud Elsie, the latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Heady and the two first named daughters survive.
Mr. Heady has at all times been a loving husband and father and a citizen whom his neighbors and friends delighted to honor, for he was faithful to every trust, and ever ready to go out of his way to do a good turn. He was blunt of speech at times, but never rude, and he was the kindly, well meaning gentleman always and numbered his friends by the hundred.
Mr. Heady was one of fifteen children. He came of a long lived family, his father dying at the age of 90 and the mother at 86.
On his twenty-first birthday he was initiated into the Masonic fraternity and has been an active member to the time of his illness. His knowledge of the Masonic ritual was excelled by few men in this city. He has held every office in the local Masonic lodge and at one time was Deputy Grand Lecturer of the state. In fact, his grasp of Masonic work was amazing.
Mr. Heady had charge of the ceremonies attending the laying of the corner stone of the Montgomery county Court house, and while he never sought political preferment, he has many times had the esteem of his fellow citizens made manifest in courtesies of this nature.
Transcribed by Bill Andres (47602571).