John C. WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS, TAYLOR, YAW, BURCH, BLAKELY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/4/2009 at 16:27:23

The Mount Ayr Record-News
Thursday July 13, 1933

DIAGONAL MAN ENDS HIS LIFE

Funeral Services Held Monday Afteroon-
News of Diagonal and Vicinity.

Diagonal, July 10. - John WILLIAMS, for many years a resident of Diagonal, committed suicide by hanging early Sunday morning near the Presbyterian church. R. R. STEPHENS was the first to find him and immediately notified others. Mr. WILLIAMS had been despondent for some time. Three children, Vern WILLIAMS of Chariton, Merle WILLIAMS of Leon and Mrs. Maude TAYLOR of here, survive. Also one sister, Mrs. H. T. YAW, of Diagonal; one nephew, Lee YAW, of Clearfield; one niece, Mrs. Marie BURCH, of Benton; and three grandchildren, Alma and Alice TAYLOR, twin daughters of Mrs. Maude TAYLOR, and Richard Earl WILLIAMS, of Leon.

John C. WILLIAMS, son of S. B. and Mary Jane WILLIAMS, was born April 29, 1859, in Ohio and passed away Sunday, July 9, 1933, aged 74 years, two months and ten days. When eight years of age he, with his parents, moved to Mercer county, Illinois. In 1880 they moved to Ringgold county, Iowa, where he resided ever since. He had lived in Diagonal since 1887. Three sisters and two brothers have preceded him in death. On September 10, 1885, he was united in marriage to Emma C. BLAKELY, of Viola, Ill. To this union were born six children - three sons dying in infancy. The living children are Verne WILLIAMS of Chariton, Merle WILLIAMS of Leon and Mrs. Maude TAYLOR of here. On May 29, 1929, his wife passed away, since which time he has made his home with his children. Besides his three children he leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn. Mr. WILLIAMS had passed the Biblical span of three score years and ten, and those dear to him may feel that he had truly lived his allotted time and that his life's work was finished. He has many friends in and around Diagonal who will miss him because of his cheerful disposition and his friendliness toward all. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church, Rev. H. G. ELLSWORTH in charge. Burial was made in Bethel cemetery southwest of town.

NOTE: Emma C. (BLAKELY) WILLIAMS was born in 1859, and died May 29, 1929 with interment at Bethel Cemetery near Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008