The largest funeral that ever took place in this city was that of William F. Rick, pastor of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Chaplain of the 12th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The obsequies occupied the greater part of the day and attracted many people to St. Mark’s Church and its vicinity. The scenes were touching and demonstrated the warm spot the deceased touched in the hearts of the people during his comparatively brief residence here.

At an early hour a casket containing the remains of the Chaplain were taken to the church and placed behind the rail. The casket was broad cloth covered and was mounted in silver. On the plate was the inscription,“ William F. Rick, Chaplain, 12th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.” “Old Glory” was draped over the casket and the chaplain’s cap lay upon it with two palm leaves covered with roses and tied with a silk ribbon.

Chaplain Rick died of typhoid fever at Dr. S.S. Koser’s private sanitarium on Elmira Street on Monday morning. He contracted the dread disease while performing his duties at Camp Alger.

At the conclusion of the services the pallbearers took charge of the casket and conveyed it to the hearse. The honorary pallbearers consisted of the church council. They were: John H. Lamade, Charles Woellmer, S.S. Kurtz, John Horlacher, Dietrick Lamade, Jacob Shafer, William Krieg, Fred Kimmerer, Henry Villinger, James Leal and William Seitz.

Market Street was one dense mass of people as the remains were borne towards the hearse; they crowded forward for a better look.

At the cemetery a firing party fired the customary volleys over the open grave and Sergeant Herdic Wood stepped up to head and blew “Taps.”

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.