Obituary

Milan Independent

January 31, 1918

John Ranbarger Is Called

At his home on west Water street on Wednesday morning at 6 o'clock occured the death of John M. Ranbarger after an illness of one year with a complication of diseases. Mr. Ranbarger was well known through out Rock Island county and in the cities of Moline and Rock Island spending the greater part of his life in the later city where he attended the city schools and recieved his education. He was born in Russellville, Lawrence Co. Illinois October 4, 1855. When 13 years of age he located in Moline with his parents. He was united in marriage Miss Alma Swanson in Rock Island on May 6, 1879 locating to Moline where the couple resided for 19 years, 17 years ago the family moved to Milan.

Mr. Ranbarger was twice elected as village trustee holding the office from 1909 to 1911. At the expiration of his terms as trustee, he was elected in 1911 President of the village council, in 1912 he was again elected serving his second tern in this capacity. In serving the public office to which he was elected he faithfully believed that "A public office was a public trust" and his aim was to give all justice and service to the fullest extent of his ability and power in office. His word was his bond and so taken and accepted in his public life and his dealings with his fellow man. He had his trial and struggles in early young manhood and he never forgot the man who extended to him a helping hand. The writer knew him from the time he was a young man , he knew him as a politiician, as a citizen but knew him best as a friend.He was a great admirer of America's national game and knew the points of baseball from A to Z, there was few games played here or in the tri-cities that John Ranbarger did not attend.

He was a member of Watch tower camp, No. 3627, M.W.A.

He is survived by his widow, seven children, Mrs. Mabel Hale, Mrs. Myrtle Brandenburg, Mrs. Maude Brandenburg, Mrs. Goldie Christy, one son George W. of Milan, Mrs. Violet Koob and Mrs. Winifred McBurney of Vernon Cneter, Minn, eight grand children and one sister Mrs. Manda Bledsoe at the Soldiers Home in Quincy.

The funeral will be held from the home on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. The Rev. R.M. Van Alstyne pastor of the Milan Methodist church will officiate. Interment will take place in Chippiannock Cemetery.