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Submitted: 9/19/10 • Approved: 9/24/10 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R76215-G0-S3
The Egan Express
Egan, Moody County, South Dakota
Friday, August 27, 1915
RAY W. JUSTUS DIES AT WILLMAR, MINN.
Was on Way Home From the Hospital at St. Paul and Passes Away on the train.
Although his many friends here knew that there were but little hopes for his recovery, the news that flashed over the wires Friday night that Ray W. Justus has passed away, cast a cloud of sadness and sorrow over the entire community--for be that as it may--Ray was well known and well liked, nay, loved by all of us and to hear of his demise at his stage of life when he apparently had the best years left, we cannot help but drop a tear, when we realize that he has been taken away from us never to see again until we meet on that beautiful shore where all is peace and happiness forever.
Ray was a marked personality in this community. Possessing in a remarkable degree the quality of geniality and cheerfulness, he was liked by everybody. A man of the strictest integrity, industrious, accommodating--to have business dealings with him was to hold him in highest esteem. He was known to be intensely devoted to his home, a kind and loving husband and father always looking for the comfort of his loved ones. The universal comment heard upon our streets is "Ray will be greatly missed."
During the writer's stay in Egan he has been in close touch with the deceased--in business deals, social functions, etc., and has always found it a great pleasure, for no matter what arose Ray was found to be gilt edge. Always looking on the right side, never for a moment faltering when he knew he was right.
Ray has been connected with the city affairs for a number of years, acting in the position of city commissioner, and mayor in the absence of the mayor. And as a member of the Egan Concert band he was one of the main organizors, originating the idea of incorporating the band, which has proven a success, and he was an active member up until his health failed to such an extent that he was obliged to resign, even then when he was able he would be present and take part in a few selections, and from this circle he will be greatly missed and always remembered for the active part and interest he took in it.
Ray W. Justus was born July 31, 1885 and died on the train near Willmar, Minn. Aug. 20, 1915, aged 30 years and 20 days.
He grew to manhood on the farm on which he was born and lived there with the exception of a few years, when he was attending Lombard College at Galesburg, Ill., until he came to South Dakota in February 1909. He lived with his brother Charles, near Egan for a few months, later he purchased land near here, built a beautiful modern home and was united in marriage to Margaret Hutton of Egan, Sept. 14, 1910.
His health had been failing for some time prior to his death and everything that medical science could do, was done. As a last resort he was taken to St. Paul to be placed in a sanitarium with the hopes that he would regain his strength, but a Divine Providence willed otherwise and he was not even permitted to reach his earthly home before his departure to his Heavenly one.
He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and two sons, Ralph Eugene and Harold Hutton, a widowed mother, Mrs. Abbie Justus; two sisters, Mrs. Burton Tiffany and Mrs. Donald Willson of Stockton, Ill.; three brothers, James of Philadelphia, Bert of Chicago and Charles of Egan; and a host of grief-stricken friends.
The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the M. E. church, the Masonic order having charge and Rev. Wilbur of Flandreau officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Hillside cemetery.
Contributed on 9/19/10 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 76215