Obituary for John Earl Ayers
John Earl Ayers of Albion, MI passed away on February 6, 2019, at the age of 90.
A native of Lexington, NE, John graduated from University of Nebraska with a degree in Business where he was named one of the university’s most eligible bachelors. In 1956 he began managing his father’s store, Ayers Clothing, in Kearny, NE. In 1969 John left the family business and moved to New Braunfels, TX where he worked for 10 years as a salesman for Neely Manufacturing. After receiving a promotion to sales manager for Neely Manufacturing in 1979, John moved to Albion, MI.
In retirement, John worked in the mail room at Albion College where he memorized the school directory in order to remember people’s names, a valuable lesson he learned from his father.
John was an active member of his church and several fraternal organizations including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Freemasonry where he was a 3rd degree Master Mason, a York Rite Mason, and a Shriner.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Monna, sister Delphine (Lee), children Jeff (Vicki), Jennifer Dodson, James (Kimberly), step-children Drew Hanlon (Lorrie), Tami Oliver, Tori Paniccia, and Chip Hanlon, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Earl, and his first wife and mother of his children, Janet.
A native of Lexington, NE, John graduated from University of Nebraska with a degree in Business where he was named one of the university’s most eligible bachelors. In 1956 he began managing his father’s store, Ayers Clothing, in Kearny, NE. In 1969 John left the family business and moved to New Braunfels, TX where he worked for 10 years as a salesman for Neely Manufacturing. After receiving a promotion to sales manager for Neely Manufacturing in 1979, John moved to Albion, MI.
In retirement, John worked in the mail room at Albion College where he memorized the school directory in order to remember people’s names, a valuable lesson he learned from his father.
John was an active member of his church and several fraternal organizations including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Freemasonry where he was a 3rd degree Master Mason, a York Rite Mason, and a Shriner.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Monna, sister Delphine (Lee), children Jeff (Vicki), Jennifer Dodson, James (Kimberly), step-children Drew Hanlon (Lorrie), Tami Oliver, Tori Paniccia, and Chip Hanlon, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Earl, and his first wife and mother of his children, Janet.