John A. Dycus Dies At Age 85 At Home Here
Funeral Saturday for One of County's Best Known Residents

John A. Dycus, one of Jefferson county's best known residents, died at 12:01 a.m. today at his home, 522 S. 24th street. His age was 85 years, one month and 11 days.

Mr. Dycus was a Prudential Insurance Co. agent, a prominent farmer and vice president of the Ashley State Bank. Although a man of advanced age, he remained active to the last. On Tuesday of this week he served as an election judge in the third ward, but was forced to quit before the day was over because fo illness.

Mr. Dycus was born March 10, 1864 in the little village of Winfield, in Jefferson county, and spent his entire, useful life in this county. He was the son of James Lloyd and Elizabeth Bryant Dycus, who came to this county from Tennessee established their home and reared a large family. Mr. Dycus grew to manhood in Blissville township, where by industry and thrift he acquired one of the best farms of the county. He resided on the farm until 1930, when he moved to Mt. Vernon, where he has since resided.

In 1886 he was married to Elizabeth Walker, who died in February, 1929.

To this union ten children were born. Three sons, Walker, Charles and Ray died in early childhood and the eldest daughter, Tillie May Norris, met a tragic accidental death in October, 1918. In October, 1930 Mr. Dycus was married to Mrs. May Patton Eaton, who survives.

Since 1922 he had been special agent for the Prudential Insurance Co. On account of extremely large volume of business writen, he was called to Chicago to participate in conventions of Prudential's outstanding men. He had been a director of the Ashley State Bank since it was established in 1901 and a vice president of the bank since 1937. It was a matter of much pride to him that this bank weathered the storms of the depression.

Politically, Mr. Dycus was a lifelong Democrat.

He served as tax collector, town clerk and a member of the County Board of Supervisors from Blissville township. During World War I, he was active in selling Liberty Bonds and raising funds for the Red Cross. During World War II, he worked Registration Day and was a member of the Farm Security Administration Council of Jefferson county.

He had been a member of the Masonic Order since 1907, being affiliated with the Royal Arch Masonic Chapter No. 141 at Ashley and Clay Lodge No. 153 at Ashley.

At the age of 23 years he became a member of the Methodist church. He was instrumental in the building of the Minson Methodist church.

Besides his wife, he is survived by the following children, Irvie F. Dycus and Mrs. Dorothy Sulcer of Waltonville, Orval and Bryan Dycus and Mrs. Hattie Howard of Mt. Vernon and the Rev. Earnest M. Dycus of Granite City. He is also survived by one stepdaughter, Mrs. Dorothy E. Terry of Mt. Vernon; a brother, Porter L. Dycus of Ina; 24 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at West Salem church, with the Rev. George Whitten officiating, and burial will be in the West Salem cemetery. The body will remain at Myers Chapel, where friends may call at any time after 7:00 p.m. today.

Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Submitted by: Cindy Ford