Lawrence Mayall, an elderly man, residing near Ipava, was found shot to death Monday morning, an apparent victim of suicide, in a pasture about two miles south of the Floyd O’Malley home in Pleasant township.
Mayall’s body was found lying on a blanket placed near his empty car. He apparently was on his way to his job as a section hand with the CB&Q railroad, when he drove into the pasture, spread a blanket on the ground, lay on it and shot himself through the head with a .22 caliber rifle. He was about 54 years of age.
The body was found shortly before noon by Mark Walraven and Gus Swenson, both of Canton and both employees of the Spoon River Cooperative. They said they were stringing a line near the place and noticed the body from a distance.
The dead man, who lived about four miles southeast of Ipava, had lived in this area most of his life, and reportedly had complained of ill health in recent months. He had been under the care of a physician.
A coroner’s jury decided Monday evening the Lawrence Chester Mayall, 54, died about 6:30 a.m. Monday on his farm in Pleasant township of a self-inflicted wound in his left temple fired from a .22 caliber rifle with suicidal intent.
The jury also said in its verdict that the dead man was despondent over ill health.
Testifying were the widow, Mrs. Olive Mayall; Mark Walraven and Gustav Swenson, both of Canton, employees of the Spoon River Electric Cooperative who found the body, and Deputy Sheriff James Elam.
Members of the jury were William R. Graham, foreman; William Morrison Jr., Wallace Baumgardner, Donald Welker, Vernon Henderson, and Floyd O’Malley.
Born in Summum, May 21, 1900, a son of Wilbur and Jennie Gouker Mayall, he was married to Olive Danner, who survives.
Also surviving are his father, of Ipava; three sons, Verlyn L. Mayall, Macomb; Willis D. Mayall, of Ipava and Claude W. Mayall, Ipava; 14 grandchildren; a brother, Russell Mayall, Peoria; and six sisters, Mrs. Ilma Thompson, Astoria; Mrs. Irma McMullen, Peoria; Mrs. Anna Hinds, Ipava; Mrs. Gladys Heflin, Vermont; Mrs. Anita Imler, Farmington; and Mrs. Aletha Seals, Ipava. His mother, one brother and a sister preceded him in death.
Funeral services were conducted by the Revs. E. E. Catlin and Darrell Harrison at 2 o’clock this afternoon in the Ipava Christian church. Burial in the Ipava cemetery.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus