Obituary from (source unknown - Probably Barry, IL),
(Date Unknown):

Cerena Harelson, Who Celebrated 100th Birthday, Dies. 

Mrs. Cerena Harelson, 100 year-old resident of Barry, passed away Friday evening, April 27, 1956, at 6:30 o'clock in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cinda Syrcle, with whom she had made her home for the past thirteen years. She had been ill since Easter, when she contracted pneumonia. Mrs. Harelson celebrated her 100th birthday October 15, 1955. In observance of the occasion, she and members of her family (in which there were seven sets of five generations living) appeared on television, enjoyed a basket-birthday-dinner at the Methodist Church and held open house at the Syrcle residence. Born in Brown County, Ohio, October 15, 1855, Mrs. Harelson was the daughter of George and Mary Reed Miller. She came with the family to Illinois at the age of ten months when they settled on a farm near Fish Hook. She attended the rural school in Fairmount Township and at the age of nineteen was married to W. T. Harelson on March 22, 1874. Most of their married life was spent farming in Pike and Adams counties. Mrs. Harelson's husband died May 21, 1925 and after his death she broke up housekeeping and had since made her home with her children. She became a member of the Baptist Church in January 1877 and was baptized in McGee Creek. Until her last illness, she enjoyed remarkable health for one of years, and attended church when the weather permitted. Mrs. Harelson lost her eyesight two years ago but had exceptional hearing ability and enjoyed company and listening to her radio. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon, April 30, at two o'clock from the Barry Baptist Church, in charge of Dr. Robert Byler, assisted by the Rev. L. C. Pruehsner. Mr. William Wheelan and Mr. Ray Gleckler sang, accompanied by Mrs. Julian Strubinger. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery in Louisiana, Mo. Serving as casket-bearers were George Fletcher, James Johnson, Harold Price, and Merele, Cliff and J. H. Syrcle. Surviving are eight children, Mrs. Syrcle of Barry, Mrs. Clara Lierly and Mrs. Eva Williams of Moberly, Mo., Mrs. Lula Fletcher of Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Bertha Price of Bowling Green, Mo., Mrs. Bessie Doty of Fresno, Calif., Mr. Roy Harelson of Glendale, Ariz., and Mr. Harvey Harelson of Tempe, Ariz. There are 29 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

Note from contributor, KPM:
---These Harelsons are not related to the Harelsons in Pike Co, MO

© 2000 Rhonda Stolte Darnell