Earl M. Markley 1891-1962

MARKLEY, ASH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/27/2014 at 15:57:08

Estherville Man is Victim of Blaze

Estherville – Earl Markley, about 70, died in a fire at his home here early Wednesday. Authorities said he apparently died of suffocation. His wife was away from home when the fire broke out. (Mason City Globe-Gazette, Mason City, IA, February 7, 1962)

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Find Body Inside Back Door
By Barry Huntsinger
Earl Markley,70, was found dead by Estherville firemen this morning after fireman Don Strube noticed that there was a fire at the Markely home at 102 1st Ave. N. and turned in an alarm at 6:55 a.m. to the police answering service.

Strube, who lives across the street from the Markley residence, said that when he got to the house the floor had burned through into the basement.

Estherville firemen then arrived and discovered Markley’s body inside the back door on the dining room floor of the home. Fire Chief Albert Heywood says that Markley apparently tried to get out of the house but could not make it out before he succumbed. Mrs. Markley had not stayed at the home last night and no one else was in the house.

County Medical Examiner, Dr. L. W. Loving, ruled that death was caused by asphyxiation from the smoke inside the building.

The Markley’s dog, a toy terrier, was found dead on the kitchen floor a few feet from where Markley was found.

Sheriff Barney Reynolds said this morning that Markley apparently had been dead since 4 or 4:30 a.m. today.

Fire Chief Heywood said the cause of the fire is unknown but that it apparently started in the front room between the davenport and furnace. He said the house was a total loss. The fire burned for approximately three hours, Heywood said.

Last rites for Markley will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Sandin-Fuhrman Funeral home with the Rev. William R. Noland officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home tomorrow until time of services.

Mr. Markley was born Oct. 4, 1891 at Schaller, the son of Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Markley. He moved with his family to Estherville when he was seven years old.

He was married to Celia Ash at the Methodist parsonage in Estherville. The Markleys lied all their married life in Estherville.

Mr. Markley is survived by his widow, one brother, A.R. Markley of Estherville, and one nephew, Hugh Markley of Estherville. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 7, 1962)