Obituary

  Funeral services for Martin F. Ayers, 88, who died Thursday, Dec. 15, at 10 p. m. in Mercer County hospital, were held from St. John's Catholic church in Viola on Monday at 9 a. m., with the church pastor, Rev. C. M. Meyer, officiating, with the Requiem High Mass. Father Louis Schaechter presided at graveside services.
  Mr. Ayers was born in Preemption township, Mercer county, June 13, 1867. He received his education in rural schools. He was married June 15, 1898, at Keithsburg to Miss Ella Ryan.
  He was engaged in farming until moving to Viola about 30 years ago. Until three years ago he had been employed by the Viola Mutual Telephone company.
  Surviving are his wife and a brother, Richard, of Shannon, Ia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Ellen Conway Ayers; three sisters, Miss Lizzie Ayers, Mrs. Pat McManus, and Mrs. William Barnes; and a brother, Michael. A nephew Arthur, who was reared in the Ayers home also preceded him in death.
  Prayers were recited at the Crummy Funeral home Sunday at 7:30 p. m.
  Burial was in St. John's cemetery, Viola. Pallbearers were Frank Bollman, Joe Gustafson, Glenn Brown, John Kness, Willis Knox, and Billy Lilliman.
(Aledo Times Record, Wednesday, December 21, 1955, Sect. 3, p. 1)