An article in the Sargent newspaper states: While in charge of the preaching services at the Free Methodist church in this city Friday night of last week John Dye became sick and had to quit talking and sit down. Clarence McIrvin took his place in the pulpit and gave an exhortation and announced a invitation hymn. During the singing someone noticed something was wrong with Mr. Dye and spoke to one of the men there and he went to Mr. Dye and found him unable to speak. Dr. Fenstermacher was immediately called from his home near the church and arrived at the side of the sick man almost immediately, but there was nothing that human help could do and in about an hour his life here was at an end, death coming as a result of a stroke of apoplexy.
For forty five years John Dye had been a member of the Free Methodist Church and has been so faithful to its teachings and those of his Master that he never lost am opportunity to attend its services and to take an active part in them. So it was fitting the call to rest should come to him while actively engaged in the work that he never shirked. In what better or more appropriate place could a man be found when the final summons comes to him.
John Reason Dye was born September 22, 1856, in Indiana, and died March 23, 1928 at Sargent, Nebraska, aged 71 years, 6 months and 1 day.
In the year 1879 he came to Nebraska with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Dye and spent about a year at Loup City. The next year, 1880 they located on a farm three miles east of Sargent. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Sarah Margaret Hendrickson and for nearly twenty years they lived on the land just east of that of his parents. At that time the Kincaid law came into effect and he secured a section of land under its provisions in Western Loup county and that has been his home since.
Mr. Dye's wife preceded him in death April 25, 1921, nearly seven years ago. He leaves thirteen children to mourn his departure. They are Mrs. Allie Bell of LaHabra, California; Mrs. Blanche Sargent of Walworth, Nebraska; Ira of Merced, California; George of Ainsworth, Nebraska; Henry of Burwell, Nebraska; Gifford of Coaling, California; Frances of Midwest, Wyoming; Mrs. Laura Trindle of Walworth, Nebraska; and Clarence, Caleb, Paul, Carl, and Emmett all of Milburn, Nebraska. He also leaves one brother, Ed Dye of Portland, Oregon, and one sister Mrs. Milo Moore of Sargent, Nebraska, One brother, Perry Dye, passed away several months ago.
Rev. A.F. Smith, pastor of the Free Methodist church of this city, recited the following -- "Mr. Dye was a man of deep piety, of sterling integrity and strong religious conviction, and keen discerning mentality made him a man much above the ordinary.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon in the Sargent Free Methodist church, about as many persons being compelled to remain outside as ere able to crowd inside of the building. The sermon was preached by the district Elder, Rev A. Randall of Cambridge, Nebraska. Rev. A.F. Smith, the pastor and Rev. V.D. Richard of Ansley assisted in the service.
Six of his sons, George, Clarence, Caleb, Paul, Carl, and Emmett were the pallbearers. Interment was made by the side of his wife in the Sargent cemetery.