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RAY LARKIN, LONG-TIME MAYOR OF ESTHER |
Raymond Edward Larkin of Esther died at his home early Tuesday morning, April 27, 1965, at the age of 66 years, 11 months and 29 days. Except for a period of three years, he had been mayor of Esther since the city was incorporated in 1952. He operated the R. E. Larkin store in Esther for many years and was a dealer for farm machinery, appliances and supplies.
Born April 28, 1898, at Centerville, Mo., in Reynolds County, he was a son of the late James and Mollie (Brown) Larkin. Mr. Larkin is survived by his wife, Leathea Marie of Esther; three daughters, Mrs. Meredith (Helen) Freeman of Nankato, Minn., Mrs. June Schaffer of Long Beach, Calif., and Mrs. Alvin (Dorothy) Prather of Wilmington, Calif. Two sons, Jimmy and Carree, preceded Mr. Larkin in death. He also leaves six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; two brothers, William Larkin of Esther and Rolla Larkin of River Rouge, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Oscar Anderson of Esther and Mrs. Gus Malos of River Rouge, Mich.; several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Larkin was a member of the Esther Methodist Church; Elvins Masonic Lodge No. 599, Flat River; Scottish Rite; and K.P. Lodge, Flat River.
The body is at the Caldwell Funeral Home in Flat River where Masonic services were conducted Wednesday, April 28, at 8 p.m. The remains will be moved to the Esther Methodist Church to lie in state from 1 until 2 p.m. on Friday, April 30. The Rev. Paul Skaggs will officiate at Services beginning at 2 p.m. and will be assisted by the Rev. V. E. Defreece. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Leadington, under the direction of Raymond Caldwell & Sons, Flat River.
Ray Larkin was a quiet unassuming gentleman of the highest type. He served the City of Esther as Mayor since the town was incorporated with the exception of three years when he was not a candidate. He was a true friend of the people and spent much of his time and money in seeing to it that others than himself should receive attention and helped to prosper. Those who were his customers during his many years in business were extended unlimited credit, likewise sincere appreciation for their patronage. There is little doubt that Ray has many thousands of dollars he extended in credit which will never be paid by the recipients; he probably has cleared his records of their debts long before now. Another thing about him was that he was just as attentive to those who had something to sell as he was to sell. During his many years in the farm machinery business he became one of the leading John Deere dealers in the country and received many awards for his achievements for selling of Gibson products.
Not only was he a friendly business man, he was a friend of the church and fraternities to which he belonged. Among the things of which he was so proud was the completion of the Esther Methodist Church just recently dedicated. He gave freely in money insofar as he was able and many other items that helped the wonderful building become a reality and a credit to a city five times the size of Esther. So it might well be said, Ray served his generation exceedingly well without reservation and sought nothing for himself except the privilege of being able to serve those less fortunate than himself. He lived a useful and abundant life.
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