| Obit For | Malrie "Mal" Edward Johnson |
|---|---|
| Headline | SHERIFF JOHNSON DIED HERE FRIDAY
Coroner F. C. Callaway Takes Charge of Office. Johnson Funeral Sunday |
| Text | Mal E. Johnson, Sheriff of Barry county, died at his home in Cassville about 4 o’clock Friday morning, May 6th, of cancer of the stomach and liver. He had been dangerously ill for only a few weeks, but had been in declining health for several months. Three weeks before his death he spent a few days at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minn., but the attending physicians held no hope for his recovery. He came back home and had been confined to his home since. Funeral services were held in Cassville Sunday afternoon, at the community building. Burial was made in Joplin in the cemetery where a nine-year-old daughter who died many years ago was buried. The Pogue Funeral Service of Wheaton was in charge. Mr. Johnson was born in Washburn June 20, 1870. He was a son of the late John Thomas and Mary Johnson; well know Barry county pioneer citizens. He was united in marriage to Samantha Waltrip of near Purdy, March 19, 1890. To them two children were born; the deceased daughter and Mrs. Eula Blankenship, wife of Earl Blankenship. Mr. Johnson was elected Sheriff of Barry county in November 1936. He took office in January 1937. He had served previously as a Deputy Sheriff, and for many years he had served as a peace officer in various capabilities. With the exception of a few years when he lived in Joplin, he entire life had been spent in Barry county. He was genial, agreeable man whom everybody liked. He was a conscientious man and always wanted to do what be believed to be right. He never held malice or ill will toward anyone. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, two grand-children, and five brothers, James on Monett, Albert of Joplin; Charles of California; Walter of Colorado and Grover of California. Mr. Johnson is the first Sheriff of Barry country to die in office since 1891 when George Blythe died. At that time a special election had to be held to fill the vacancy, but the present instance, since it is within nine months of an election, the law provides that the vacancy be filled by an appointment made by the county court. An immense crowd attended the funeral. The services were conducted by Rev. J.S. McQueen of Wheaton, a close friend of Mr. Johnson since they were young men. He was assisted by Rev. J. A. Burris, Pastor of the Methodist church in Cassville. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Chas, Willis, W. C. Blythe, Rev. H. V. Leslie, and Truman Thompson, with Mrs. Troy Wilson at the Piano. Active pall bearers were James Stephenson of Wheaton, Vern Erwin of Exeter, H. S. Brixey, W. T.Sallee, Dan MacDonald of Monett, and State Patrolman, Harvey George of Aurora. Honorary pall bearers were: Alvin Gahn, Charles Hawthorne, Gentry German, Walter Vanzandt, Ozman Henbest and Tome Kennemar. Research Note: Death Cert. # 17612 Name Malrie Edward Johnson Born: June 20, 1870, MO Parents: J. T. and May Jane (Hef) Johnson Died: May 6, 1938, Cassville, Barry Co., MO Buried: Joplin, Jasper Co., MO |
| Newspaper or Funeral Home | Cassville Republican |
| Date | May 12, 1938 |
| Death Cert Link | Death Certificate |
| Resource | - |
| Submitted by | Barbara Erwin |
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