CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
No one came forth to claim and put six feet under the remains of Johnny Hudson. Mike O’Malley finally stepped-up to the plate, as it were, and took the body of his so-called friend and partner, to Millersburg to be buried on an old piece of property he owned. He thought it best, for he didn’t want the locals digging him up and doin’ god-knows-what to his remains. No fancy coffin, no cross or headstone would mark his grave. It simply came down to—no one cared.
Earl Schulz received a nice funeral from the Lutheran Church in Millersburg. He had been a member on and off over the years. The town agreed to pay for his burial due to his outstanding service to the good citizens of Saint Cloud. Two buses came over from Millersburg and picked up all those who wanted to attend his service. Courtesy of the Lutheran Church.
Father Lonigan was not allowed to give Beau Camp a Catholic service, due to the fact he committed a mortal sin by killing himself, not to mention the fact he was an insane murderer. He would not be interned next to his wife Martha; who had been laid to rest next to her father and mother. The plot that had been reserved for him would be given to a Catholic of good standing. With no service nor fanfare, his body would be turned over to the state and later cremated, which was what was done with the indigent and those without family. The Dalton Bank would take over the house and auction it off to the highest bidder; including any furniture and personal contents located inside the home.
No matter what might befall a man, woman, or child; the one constant is that life moves on, never ending for the living; yet, stopping only when death comes knocking at your door. So be it.