(From scrapbook at Decatur Library, Decatur, Indiana)

Leo Yager Dies at Home Last Night

Leo Yager, 96, last surviving member of a prominent Decatur family, died at 10 o’clock Monday night at his home, 246 South Second street. He had been in failing health since suffering an attack of Neuritis in 1945, from which he did not make a full recovery.

Death was attributed to complications. His condition had been serious for the past two weeks.

Born in Tiffon, O., July 16, 1865, he was a son of Leopold and Christine Wall-Yager. The family moved to Decatur late that same year.

After leaving school, he worked for some time in the furniture store owned by his father, and then was sworn in as deputy postmaster under Norval Blackburn during President Grover Cleveland’s first administration. After leaving the post office, he operated a furniture store at Willshire, O., selling it in 1893 when he and his brother, Louis, opened a drug store in the room now occupied by the Sutton jewelry store on North Second street.
In Drug Store
The store was sold in 1898 and Leo Yager bought an interest in the B. J. smith drug store, which he retained until the death of Mr. Smith in 1929. In 1900, he started traveling for the Fort Wayne Drug Co., and in 1904 went to Toledo, O., traveling for the W. K. M. company until 1913. He was with the Wayne Tank & Pump Co., from 1914 until 1920, after which he sold drug specialties for several years.
Director of Bank
Mr. Yager was a director of the Old Adams County Bank, and after it closed for the second time, he served for four years as liquidating agent. He was elected a director of the Citizens Telephone co. in 1917, and in 1920 was name president. He resigned as president in 1950, but served as chairman of the board of directors until his death.

Mr. Yager was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic church, the Holy name society, Third Order of St. Francis, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and the B. P. O. elks lodge.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Herman and Louis, and one sister, Miss Anna Yager, none of whom had ever married.

Funeral services will be conducted at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic church, the rt. Rev. Msgr. Simeon Schmitt officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. The body, removed to the Gillig & Doan funeral home, will be returned to the residence, where friends may call after 8 p.m. today until time of the services. The Third Order of St. Francis will recite the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and the Holy Name society at 8 p.m. (can’t see date) (KK note: died 1961)