Born: 22 Jul 1873 at North Plains, Ionia, MI
Father: Edmund David DUNSMORE (1830-1874) Spouse: Dervin E. GEARHART
Children:
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Alice and Dervin were married 19 Mar 1898 in Ionia, Ionia Co., MI (Ionia Co., MI Marriage Records p. 225 #391 Dervin E. GEARHART age 21 years Alice DUNSMORE age 24 years witnesses Thos. E. DUNSMORE and Arthur E. COLLOW). Alice was the daughter of Edmund and Martha (HAVENS) DUNSMORE. Alice and Dervin were farmers near Lansing, MI. Alice was a twin.
Alice's obituary was published in the State Journal (Lansing) 25 Oct 1947: Mrs. Alice F. GEARHART of 724 West Mt. Hope avenue, died early Saturday morning. Mrs. GEARHART had been a resident of Lansing for the past 28 years, coming here from Nashville and was a member of the South Baptist church and the Guild class of the Sunday school. She is survived by the husband, Dervin E. GEARHART; a daughter, Mrs. Wainered GARDNER of Lansing; a brother, Thomas DUNSMORE of Ionia, and a sister, Mrs. Grace PEACOCK of Detroit; also 3 grandchildren. Rosena, Marguerite and Wanda GEARHART of Napanee, IN. Funeral services will be held at the Estes-Leadley Colonial chapel, the time to be announced later (it was held Oct 27, Rev. W. S. Ross officiating, bearers Carl and John GEARHART and Alton, Clare, Ernest and John BENNETT; Psalm 23 was printed on the pamphlet).
A few days later (29 Oct), the Journal published this letter: WE WISH TO EXTEND - Our thanks to the friends and neighbors of Mrs. Alice F. GEARHART, who passed away Oct. 25. We especially thank those who sent her the lovely cards and letters which she enjoyed so much during her last illness, and the many acts of kindness which were done for her; Rev. W. S. ROSS for his comforting words and the Estes-Leadley personnel for their courtesy and consideration. Signed: D. E. GEARHART, Mr. and Mrs. Wainerd GARDNER.
When Dervin later died, his obituary shows he was survived by wife Francis L., so he apparently remarried.
The following poem was written in memory of Alice by Joe GEARHART for the SMITH family reunion of 1948:
There is missing from our number
One who had always lent her hands
To make this meeting much more pleasant
With a heart that understands.
It was she who got up early
On the day that we should meet,
So that everything was ready
to make our day complete.
When we had our little visit
And there came the end of day,
It was then in pleasant manner
We could hear Aunt Alice say,
"We're glad you could come,
But to leave you now, we must;
But our visit has been too short,
Say, who's coming home with us?"
Although we miss her loving kindness
And miss her willing hands,
Its true we feel her presence
From that far-off distant land.
When we've finished with life's duties,
And to leave this world we must,
'
I expect to hear her saying,
"Who's all coming home with us?"
 Alice (before wedding?)
|  Dervin and Alice 1 yr anniv.
|  Dervin and Alice c1934
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 Alice c1934
|  Dervin and Alice c. early 40s?
|  Dervin and Alice, taken shortly after their 19 Mar 1897 wedding, pic by Whitney & Barnes, Nashville, MI
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close-up of people
even closer-up!
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