from The Republican (Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, December 20, 1900--page 1, column 5:
DEATH OF MRS. COFER
Another of Danville's Gentle Women Called Home
Mrs. Mary S. Cofer, wife of Judge Thomas J. Cofer, died early Tuesday morning after a long illness from a complication of diseases. The funeral was yesterday afternoon from her late home, the services being conducted by Dr. Buckles.
Mary Scearce, daughter of William J. and Mary Scearce, was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, January 16, 1844. With her parents she came to Hendricks county about 1855. She and Thomas J. Cofer were married November 9, 1865, and to them were born five children, two of whom survive—Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Manners, both of whom were at their mother's bedside in her last days. Mrs. Cofer has been in failing health for many months and the end was not unexpected though none the less sorrowful.
She was a woman who took an active interest in the affairs of life and gave her assistance to the things that make for the building up of the community and the good of society. She had long been identified with the O.E.S. and the W.R.C.
The sympathy of the whole people is extended to the grief-stricken family of husband and two daughters.