DEATH CLAIMS CLERK OF COURT
Popular County Offical Dies From Infected Tooth at Hospital in Des Moines.

Poignant grief has filled the hearts of the people of Ringgold county since Sunday morning when the word came from Des Moines that E. M. McAninch had died at the Lutheran hospital where he was taken Thursday. The announcement came as a surprise and cast a shadow of mourning over the entire community. Only the immediate family and close friends knew that he was not in his usual health until the death message was received. Mr. McAninch, who was serving his first term as clerk of the district court, was off duty Tuesday and Wednesday on account of an infected tooth and on Thursday on the advice of a physician he was taken to the hospital, where everything possible was done to relieve him, but all to no avail and a little after daybreak Sunday morning life passed out.
No man in Ringgold county was more highly respected that was Mr. McAninch. He was born in Mount Ayr and here he grew to manhood, and through boyhood, young manhood and maturity his character was such as to command admiration. He lived an exemplary life, was always interested in the religious life of the community, adhering to the principles learned in childhood and measuring up to his responsibilities as a citizen. As clerk of the district court, to which position he was elected in 1928, Mr. McAninch came in contact with people from all parts of the county, all of whom respected him for his admirable character, his courteous manner and his conscientious devotion to duty as a servant of the county. With the sorrowing wife and children, the brothers and sisters, the people throughout Ringgold county mourn.
The body was brought to Mount Ayr Sunday afternoon and funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist church, being in charge of the pastor, Rev. E. S. Menoher, who was assisted by the pastors of the other three churches of the city. The scripture was read by Dr. Jesse __ of the United Presbyterian church, prayer was offered by Rev. _. Harold Smith of the Church of Christ, the obituary was read by Rev. C. J. Hamilton of the Baptist church and the funeral address was delivered by Rev. E. S. Menoher. The large attendance at the funeral services attested the high regard in which the deceased was held, every part of the county being represented, and the seating capacity of the church being far too small to accommodate all who came to pay tribute of respect to the departed. Ringgold Post of the American Legion, of which the deceased was a member, participated in the service, the ritualistic service of the post being conducted, and amidst a profusion of beautiful flowers - tributes of relatives, friends and various organizations - was conducted a funeral service which reflected profound respect for the departed and generous sympathy for those who are left to mourn.
Following the service at the church a long train of automobiles formed the cortege which passed to Knowlton cemetery where the body was laid to rest.
The following obituary was read at the funeral service:
Ebon Merriet McAninch was born near Mount Ayr, Iowa, June 12, 1892, and passed away at Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines at six o'clock Sunday morning, March 23, 1930.
He was the son of Cyrus and Mariah McAninch, both of whom preceded him in death.
He was married August 12, 1917, to Bertha E. Overholtzer and to this union were born five children, two of whom died in infancy. Surviving him are his wife, one daughter, Betty Joe age 9, James Barton age 4 and Carol Dean age 3; three brothers - Oscar L. living near Mount Ayr, Joe and Clark, of Neodeha, Kansas; six sisters - Minta Hoaglin, Vancouver, Washington; Anna Clark, Etheridge, Montana; Manara Campbell, Hamburg, Iowa; Addie Shidler, Mount Ayr; Clara Wroughton, Diagonal, Iowa; Faye Nauman, Des Moines, Iowa; also a host of other relatives and friends.
He was educated in Mount Ayr schools, graduating from Mount Ayr high school in 1914, later taking the course in manual training at Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa. He taught school three years at Knowlton, Iowa, one year at Beaconsfield, three years in the public schools of Mount Ayr and five years as manual training teacher and athletic coach of Junior High at Ottawa, Kansas.
While at Ottawa he was scoutmaster.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mount Ayr, a member of the American Legion, the Iowa State Athletic Association and president of the Mount Ayr High School Alumni Association.
Such is the brief history of a life now ended - a life crowned with success and filled with achievement. Although the deceased did not attain to the Biblical span of three score and ten years, yet his life of 37 years is a true picture of the life of every successful American born in a humble home. He lived during the most enthralling period of the world's history.
First we have the incident of his birth, his youthful struggles to attain an education and assist his parents, then the yearning for an education to fit him for the broader things of life and the attainment of life's ambition. Then came his willing surrender for service in the world war, his marriage and happy home with the advent of five children, three now living to love and nurture during the coming years.
As we reflect on this comparatively short life we are reminded that a life must not be measured by its length, but by the things accomplished. The Master lived nearly a like number of years, endured every earthly struggle and hardship to man, fulfilled his earthly mission and died that through him we might have salvation.
So in this life, we see the fulfillment of every reasonable ambition and every duty and obligation to society and his country well performed.
He passes out of life's great battle rich in the love and esteem of his fellow men, and he leaves the world far richer by reason of his life and influence.