EARLEY, John William 1892 - 1952

EARLEY, BLACKFORD, LEECH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/17/2021 at 21:16:19

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, August 25, 1952
Front Page, Column 2

PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL BOARD DIES SUDDENLY

Last rites will be Tuesday afternoon for John W. EARLEY, well known Fairfield man who had served as president of the school board here since May 12, 1947, and as a member of the board since 1938. He passed away early Sunday morning at his home, 1007 S. Main st.

The services will be at 2:00 p.m., at the Methodist church with Rev. L. H. Scheerer in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. The body will remain at the Weston Behner funeral home until 1:00 p.m., Tusday, when it will be taken to the church and lie in state until time for the services.

Dr. Scheerer, former pastor of the Fairfield church, is now chaplain at the Iowa Methodist hospital in Des Moines. Dr. L. L. Weis, present pastor of the church, is out of the city on vacation.

EARLEY suffered a heart attack early Sunday morning and an ambulance was called to rush him to the hospital. By the time the ambulance arrived he was pronounced dead by the attending physician.

A resident of this community for the past 24 years, EARLEY had taken an active part in all community and church affairs and had a wide acquaintance through his connections with the school board and his duties as division engineer for the Iowa Highway Commission.

He had served as engineer for the Highway Commission for 26 years, coming to Fairfield just two years after taking over his duties. He had made his home here since.

EARLEY was first appointed to the local board of education on December 1, 1938, to fill a vacancy. He had since been elected to the board each time his term of office expired. EARLEY was named president of the board on May 12, 1947, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of John W. Ward. Each year EARLEY has been named president since that time.

EARLEY didn't continue his activities to school work alone. He served on various community committees, was a member of the Evergreen cemetery board, and took an active part in church activities and affairs. He was a member of the First Methodist church and served as a member of its board for several years.

He was also a member of the Rotary club, Masons and the Elks. He was a veteran of World War I, having served as a first lieutenant in the air corps.

John W. EARLEY, 59, was born November 30, 1892, at Hillsboro, the son of Orr and Clara B. BLACKFORD EARLEY. He was united in marriage on June 30, 1932, to Mabel A. LEECH who survives.

Besides his widow, he is survived by a daughter, Nancy; one granddaughter; and his father, Orr EARLEY of Hillsboro. He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph C. EARLEY, who was killed during World War II.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, September 2, 1952
Front Page, Column 1

School Bells Ring Again As Summer Vacation Ends

... A feature of the opening assembly at the high school today was the dedication of a new electronic organ in memory of the late John W. EARLEY, president of the board of education who died suddenly Aug. 24. Elbert Little, high school maintenance man, presented the new organ to the student body and requested that it be dedicated to Mr. EARLEY's memory. Sharon Russell played one of Mr. EARLEY's favorite hymns on the organ to conclude the brief ceremony.

The organ was purchased last month from school candy sales. Little has been in charge of lunchroom candy sales at the school for several years and headed a drive to use the profits for the organ. It will be a permanent fixture in the school auditorium. ...

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.092. Wife Mabel died in 1986 and was buried with him.