Ernest Lee Bayler

Ernest Lee Bayler, son of Alfred Preston and Nancy (VanMeter) Bayler was born at Emmington, Livingston County, Illinois, January 20, 1886, and died at the I. C. Hospital at Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, June 12, 1924, aged 38 years, 4 months and 22 days. He lived at Emmington until his 17th year when with his parents he came to Roberts which was his home for a number of years.
As a young man he took a job as fireman on the Illinois Central railway running out from Champaign. He worked at this until on one of his trips, or rather in getting ready to go out on one of his runs, he stepped on a white hot iron. This resulted in a badly burned foot which later caused the amputation of a toe. From this at frequent intervals it was necessary to amputate more and more of the foot and finally the leg just below the knee. He would apparently recover but the recovery was always followed by another amputation.
After his injury he studied telegraphy and became a railway telegrapher and later a station agent. His work has mostly been on the Iowa Division and for the past few years he has been stationed at Peosta, Iowa, where he was located at the time of his death. While his health has not been the best for many years yet he was not particularly ill. He worked at his station Monday of last week. Tuesday he was taken ill, went to the hospital Wednesday and died Thursday. It was said that he went expecting another operation but was not strong enough to have it attempted. The death certificate gives the cause of death as chronic myocarditis.
October 7th, 1919, Mr. Bayler married Miss Minnie Mae Shuler of Pennington Gap, Virginia, who with one daughter survives him. He also leaves three brother, Jesse of Ypsilanti, Michigan, George of Roberts and Clarence E. of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and one sister, Mrs. S.O. Burnett of Duncombe, Iowa.
The deceased during the time he lived here was known as one of the most honorable young men of the community; a man whom we were always proud to claim as a fellow citizen. He was active in church work and in the work of the church societies. He was industrious and faithful in what ever tasks were his to perform; a man whom we honored and whose name is favorably remembered.
The  funeral services were held at the M.E. Church here Sunday afternoon, June 15th, at three o'clock, Rev. John T. Killip officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery. Services at the grave were in charge of Melvin Lodge A.F. and A.M. the deceased being a thirty-second degree member of the order. Other members of the order from Thawville, Paxton and Piper City were in attendance.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Jesse G. Bayler of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Bayler of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. S.O. Burnett of Ducombe, Iowa, George P. Shuler of Pennington Gap, Virginia, and Mr. and Mrs. Lee R. Shuler and daughter of Milwaukee.

--Roberts Herald.  18 June 1924.