The Mt. Vernon Register News published the following on Thursday, December 5, 1935 which read:

John David Dodds, coroner of Jefferson county and one of its best known residents, died at his home, 216 south Twelfth Street, at 11:30 o'clock last night. He had been in impaired health for several years and his condition had been critical since last Saturday, November 30. His age was 79 years, 1 month and 18 days.

Funeral services will be held at the Universalist church in Waltonville at two o'clock Friday afternoon with Elder D. E. Baker officiating. Interment will be made in Knob Prairie Cemetery.

Born on a farm near Waltonville on October 16, 1836, Mr. Dodds was a son of John and Emeline Keller Dodds, one of the old families of Jefferson County.

He engaged in farming for a number of years and later moved to Mt. Vernon engaging in the real estate business.

On February 11, 1880, he was united in marriage with Olive L. Gilbert at the home of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Gilbert of Waltonville. On the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, February 11, 1930. The Register News published an account of Mr. and Mrs. Dodds' wedded life, showing that the entire period had been spent in Jefferson County. During much of the time they made their home in Mt. Vernon and at other times resided on their farm. They lived in Mt. Vernon in 1887 when the town was swept by the great cyclone and their home was among the many razed in that disaster.

An unusual feature of the observance was that Mrs. Dodds' parents and grandparents lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries. Had Mr. Dodds lived to February 11, 1936, he and Mrs. Dodds would have been married 56 years. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds werean unusually devoted couple and their long married life was characterized by happiness.

Always actively affiliated with the Democratic party, Mr. Dodds was elected coroner with a large plurality in the landslide of 1932. He made an active campaign despite his age and his personal popularity was attested by his success. He conducted the affairs of his office in a thorough and efficient manner, holding inquests in many deaths. Troubled by his failing health at times, he occasionally delegated a part of the work to assistants, but at all tiimes he fulfilled the major duties of the position.

Mr. Dodds was a man of excellent business judgement, honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow me,andin a long and busy life left only friends. He never entertained feelings of ill will against anyone and his frank, open manner, his sterling traits of character won for him the respect of all, and the affection of those who knew him best.

He is survived by his wife, five daughters, one son, a sister and a brother. The daughters are Mrs. Myrtle E. Norris of Waltonville, Mrs. Charles J. Thompson of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Ruby Hirons of St. Louis, MO, Mrs. H. E. Mannen of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Frank E. Reed of Sandoval, Illinois. The son is Wilburn Dodds of Denver, Colorado. The brother is W. N. Dodds of Mt. Vernon and the sister is Mrs. Susan Hirons of Waltonville.

The body will lie in state at the Myers chapel, 122 north tenth street, until shortly before the funeral hour.