10 Sept 1953  The Vienna Times 

     Thursday evening, Sept 3, 1953 brought to a close the good life lived by William Marshall Escue.  He was born on April 9, 1862 in Union county, IL, and passed away at his home in Goreville, having attained the age of 91 yrs, 6 mo, and 24 days.
     He was the son of Edward Green and Sophronia Coleman Escue and one of a family of seven children.  He was preceded in death by all these family members with the exception of two brothers, Jessie of Benton, IL and Harvey of Bernie, MO.
     He was united in marriage to Miss Alice Roberts who preceded him in death Feb 9, 1887.  To this union was born one son, Lora Escue of Goreville.
     In Sept 1891 he was again united in marriage to Miss Josephine Walker, who survives.  To this union were born two children, Cora, who passed away in Kuna, Idaho on Dec 30, 1920, and Fred Escue of Goreville.
     There are five surviving grandchildren and nine great grand-children, a number of nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
     As proof of the faithfulness of this good couple, we need only to point to the 62 years of married life in which they worked together, sharing their joys and sorrows.  Theirs was a Christian home.
     Mr. Escue was converted in 1903 during a revival held at the Cedar Grove Methodist Church.  He united in membership with that church, but after leaving the farm and moving to Goreville, he transferred his membership to the Methodist Church there.  He has served the church in many of its offices for more than 50 years, regular in his attendance as long as health permitted.  He was a member of the church choir.  To those of us, who have long been members of this church, he was an inspiration as his tenor voice sounded the old hymns, especially "In The Land Where We'll Never Grow Old".  Through faith today we see him dwelling in that land.
     The Christian sunlight of the home is now reflecting in the lives of the two sons Lora and Fred, who many years ago assumed the duties of the church following in the footsteps of their parents.  His life was centered around his home and his church.  The same love he manifested on his own small family group was shown to the two daughters-in-law, Fannie and Elsie.  Administering to the comforts of father and mother has ever been near the hearts of their children.
     Mr. Escue has lived his entire life in this community for a number of years.  He owned and operated a grocery store and for 23 years he operated a cream buying station for the St. Louis Sugar Creek Creamer Co.
     He possessed such sterling qualities as honesty, uprightness and a willingness to aid his fellow man.  He had a remarkably cheerful disposition.  His outlook on life was bright and when things seemed Dark, he was always ready with words like these "perhaps tomorrow things will be better, all will be well."  The influence  of kind deeds has the power to strengthen and live on.
     To have lived a life such as Uncle Marshall lived is not to die.  The  earthly part of his life is finished and he has gone to be with his heavenly Father, who he has long loved and served.