John J. Empie, Age 104, Dies

JOHN J. EMPIE, AGE 104, DIES

Oldest Known City Resident Succumbs

John J. Empie, who observed his 104th birthday last December, died this morning at his home at 615 Church St. after a brief illness.

He was believed to be Ann Arbor’s oldest resident.

Mr. Empie had lived in Ann Arbor since 1924, coming here from Vernon, near Owosso, where he was a farmer until retirement. He was a school teacher before going to Vernon in 1889 from his native town of Sharon Hill, N. Y.

Interested in political affairs, Mr. Empie remarked two years ago that he had voted in every presidential election since he was 21.

He belonged to the First Methodist Church here.

He was born Dec. 7, 1853, in Sharon Hill, N. Y., a son of Gideon and Susan Kilts Empie. He was graduated from Hartwick College in New York.

On Jan. 17, 1884, he was married to Cora Fox in Seward, N. Y. The couple had been married 73 years when she died April 30, 1957.

Surviving are a daughter, Miss Susie A. Empie of Ann Arbor; two sons, the Rev. Harold J. Empie of Oaks, N. D., and Elmer F. Empie of Ann Arbor; five grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Muehlig Chapel, with the Rev. Merrill R. Abbey officiating. Burial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Cemetery, Vernon.

Friends may call at the chapel beginning tomorrow evening.