Civil War’s impact on the funeral industry

The American Civil War brought great change, but there were differences between the North and South when it came to embalming and funeral services. Little if any embalming was available to Southerners. Virtually all embalming was done by Northerners. Washington, D.C., was the capital city of the North and became the center for troop concentration.

It is documented that surgeons, who were also trained as embalmers, gathered there to help with the war effort. They began to embalm during the

Marshall finds friendship with Jesus and belonging in church

“I was always a quiet, shy boy when growing up,” stated Eden Marshall, Goshen.

“Many of my peers didn’t understand me, so they picked on me. I often felt unwanted and unimportant. But when I made a total commitment of my life to Jesus Christ when I was 17, I immediately knew I was loved by Him and that I was an important part of His kingdom.

“My whole personality changed. Jesus tells us in John 15:15, ‘I do not call you servants any longer … but I have called you friends.’ Jesus came into my life when I needed a real friend and then I was able to be a friend to others.”

Marshall was not a stranger to the church when he was growing up. “When we traveled to visit family in Saltville, Va., I attended my grandmother’s Freewill Baptist church. I dedicated my life to Jesus when I was just 14 years old. Knowing I didn’t have a home church back in Indiana, I prayed for God to provide one for me.”

Roughly three years later, the Lord did provide that fellowship and He started from scratch. God led him to Living Waters Assembly of God Church in Bristol. “It was a church plant. And when the pastor was sharing his testimony about starting the church, the Lord spoke to my heart: ‘This is the church I prepared for you … the church you prayed for.’”

Thinking he’d one day be a minister, Marshall graduated from Free Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pa. “Through the years, I’ve spent time teaching and preaching. I was a Sunday school administrator and helped in children’s ministry. I also worked in kids crusades and vacation Bible school. But I did it in a lay capacity.” He also helped kids with their Pinewood Derby cars.

Serving the Lord in media ministry has been a constant for Marshall. “In the early ‘90s I began running the sound system for Living Waters. When our family attended Calvary Assembly of God in Elkhart, I was in media ministry.”

Now he and his wife, Tammy, attend Radiant Life Church in Elkhart. “I’m still working on the sound system, seeing that it mixes well for the music, worship service and sermon.”

Marshall still has a heart for teaching the word of God, though. “Every Tuesday night, my cousin and I rotate teaching the basics of the Christian faith via Facebook Messenger. The teachings are live with participants sharing questions and ideas, similar to a Zoom session.”

He and Tammy have a son, Aaron. Marshall also has a stepson, Dennis, and stepdaughter, Jessica.

“I want my family members to know that whatever we go through in life, God is always there. Sometimes it may look like there’s no way out. But God always provides a way for those who love and follow Him.

“The church is so important to me. The people of Radiant Life are my friends and extended family members. I remember when I was that little boy praying for understanding friends and quality relationships. Thanks to Jesus, now I have that in my relationship with Him and those in my home church.”

Civil War so the men who died in battle could be returned home to their loved ones.

At the beginning of the Civil War, as in all previous wars fought by the United States, there was no provision made to return the dead to their homes. Military dead were simply buried in the field near where they fell.

Things changed dramatically during the Civil War in this regard. For the very first time in American history, it was possible for relatives to have the remains returned to their home for local burial if certain conditions were met.

The family had to make the request in writing. If the mili- tary could determine the burial location, the family would send a coffin capable of being hermetically sealed to the place of death where a team would disinter and prepare the body to be shipped back via train. Over 600,000 were killed in the Civil War, and of those 40,000 were embalmed. It was at this time the war department was forced to issue General Order 39 to ensure only properly licensed embalmers could offer their services. This led to the first establishment for funeral services. Dr. Thomas Holmes opened the doors in Washington, D.C., in 1861.

St. Joseph Funeral Home and Cemetery may be reached at (574) 288-4685 or visit sjfh.net.

Greencroft Goshen is your top choice for rehabilitation

• 24-hour skilled nursing care;

• Outpatient therapy open to the public; may include physical, occupational or speech therapy, or a combination of these services.

At Greencroft Goshen, we restore function and renew independence!

Greencroft Goshen has a large, dedicated rehabilitation team consisting of licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists who are fully committed to restoring and improving your quality of life. We offer short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay as well as outpatient rehabilitation for our residents and the greater community. Greencroft Goshen offers:

• Private short-term rehabilitation suites;

• Specialized programs for balance, back pain, mobility, flexibility;

• State-of-the-art therapy technology for faster results;

• Therapy available seven days a week;

• Experts in senior rehabilitation.

Custom Therapy Program

Designed For You

Our therapists work with you one-on-one up to seven days a week. After a thorough evaluation, your doctor and the skilled Greencroft therapists will design a program that will help you achieve your highest level of recovery and independence. This

Out of shape? Exercise

A widespread excuse for not exercising is you are so far out of shape, nothing you can do will help you get fit and healthy again.

The bad news is you probably won’t get your athletic 20-yearold body back again. The good news is any bit of exercise you can work up will make you feel better, sleep better, eat better and make some of your clothes fit better.

Exercise doesn’t require hours every day in a gym or running through expensive sneakers every three months by pounding your way daily over several miles of planet earth.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator if you live in an apartment building. Walk around the block and visit neighbors. Take a bike ride or a dip in the pool.

Go dancing. Vacuum the living room. Wash the car. Do the laundry. Gardening is good, too. Any activity that keeps you moving offers the same benefits as “exercise.”

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Better Balance Starts

At Greencroft Goshen

Greencroft Goshen is proud to offer the best in balance technology. Our Biodex Balance System assesses the four major components of balance. This technology can accurately test balance and provide an array of interventions and exercises to restore balance. The Biodex is considered an excellent tool for preventing falls in older adults.

Getting Started With Outpatient Therapy

Talk with your primary care physician about any conditions that may be causing you pain or restricting activities. Once you receive a prescription for outpatient therapy, you can contact us to schedule your first appointment. Therapy services are covered by Medicare and most major insurance providers.

We are your top choice for short-term rehabilitation and outpatient therapy. Call outpatient therapy to schedule an appointment at (574) 537-4022.

• Flexible Schedule2 Hrs. to 24-Hr. Live-in Assignments

• Caregiver Awards

• Caregiver Referral Program

• Weekly Pay Date

• Education Opportunities

• Serving: St.

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