Earl Dean Priest

Earl Dean Priest, son of Arthur and Mabel Priest, was born October 28, 1917 near Blue Mound and died December 1 in Mercy hospital, Fort Scott, aged 39.

He grew to manhood in Blue Mound and attended local schools graduating with the class of 1936. A veteran of World War II , he entered the Air Corps and served with the West Coast Training Command from March 15, 1942 to December 20, 1945, being discharged a staff sergeant. He was a member of the Linn Post of the American Legion, Pleasanton.

November 4, 1948 he was united in marriage to Nellie Maxine Wagner at Lyndon, Kansas. They lived in Wren, Ore. a year, returning to Blue Mound where they lived until moving to Pleasanton 3 ½ years ago.

Surviving are his wife and four children, Linda, age 9, Judy, 7, Tony, 4, and Earl Dee, 10 months; his mother, Mrs. Mabel Priest of Blue Mound a sister, Mrs. Glenn (Maye) Gregg, Blue Mound and two brothers, Frank of Mound City and Willis of Wren, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by father, Feburary (sic) 9, 1955 and a brother, George W., who lost his life in Italy November 1, 1943.

Services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Federated Church conducted by Rev. Charles Barr and Rev. Clarence Tucker of Pleasanton. Music was by Mrs. Don Stegg, accompanied by Mrs. O. V. Washler. Pallbearers were Waldo Cox, Kenneth Troth, Jimmy Stilwaugh, Waldon Cox, Roy Wills and Russell Baston.

Burial was in Pleasant View cemetery. Members of the Linn American Legion Post, Pleasanton, conducted military services with John Fletcher as chaplain, and Jimmy Stilwaugh, commander. Taps were by Blain Camp. Color guard and firing squad consisted of Robert Hall, Floyd Johnson, Albert Kohl, Clifford Town, Mike Smith, Don Roberts, George Chaplain, Bill Hardy, George O’Rourke, Eugene Slater, Sidney George and Max Probasco.

Out of town relatives attending were: Willis Priest, Wren, Ore., Mrs. Pearl Edmonds, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Martin and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Omer Prather, all of Kansas City; Mrs. Hazel Priest and Emma Jean, Chanute; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Whiner [should be Wilbert Wagner] and son of Warren, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. John Wagner and J.B. [J.V.] , Mr. and Mrs. John Wagner, Jr., Melvin and Marine (sic-Maxine) of Iola; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Priest, Miss JoAnn Mallory, Ottawa; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Stewart and family of Bronson.

Transcribed by Judy Hall (Source not given)