1907. Sylvester recognized the importance of missionary work so thoroughly that it was mainly through his efforts that this mission became possible. The home is now occupied by a granddaughter of Sylvester and Nancy Ann. Florence Stratton Thurston (daughter of Sarah Elizabeth Perry) and her husband, Leonard Thurston, have reared six children there, and five of them were born in the old home. This humble pioneer grandparent, Sylvester, expressed a desire to see all of his children and their families together. Arrangements were made for each family to bring food and return to the home 5 July, 1908. After they had all gone back to their various homes, the elderly couple sat until ten o'clock that evening relating incidents that had occured during their lives. The following day, 6 July, 1908, he went outside to hoe the garden. When he came into the house at eleven o'clock, his good wife made an effort to have him remain inside, because the weather was so hot. But he said he would work another hour, and then would rest after eating lunch. Before going out, he dipped a long-handled gourd into a bucket of fresh water, and after drinking, said "This water tastes good!" When he did not come in at noon, his daughter, Mary Jane, who had always been near her parents, found him under a tree with a hoe by his side. He did not rally. His funeral was held in the grove of trees where church services had been held so many years before because his wife was ill. The arrangements for his service seemed very fitting for one who had always loved the great outdoors, for one who had traveled the Old Pioneer Trail several times, and for one who had helped make the desert blossom as a rose. 235