Obituary

Jan. 29, 1930. John C. Mack, manager Kansas Printing Company, passed away this morning at 8:15 from the effects of toxin poison created by an infected kidney, from which he had suffered the past two years. The fatal attack came Sunday morning, resulting in a severe chill, at the Mack home, 308 west Broadway. Physicians, surgeons and nurses were immediately summoned, and every thing that modern science was able to do was unavailing, and Mr. Mack relapsed into a state of coma, and continued to sink into peaceful slumber from which there is no waking. He was 63 years old Jan. 2, 1930. No braver nor courageous fight was ever made against the encroachment of physical disorders than was made by him and for him by faithful wife and medical science. John Mack approached the battle calmly and with full reason, carried on with the utmost of his usual composure, and knowingly faced the great adventure with perfect confidence. Funeral services will be conducted at the Congregational church of which he was a member, by Rev. Fred Smith, pastor, Saturday forenoon at 10:30, and internment will be made in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery. Mr. Mack is now at the Sprinker Mortuary, where friends see him at any time Thursday or Friday. Pall bearers will be some of the boys from the mechanical department of the Kansan Printing Company who for years have esteemed Mr. Mack as their chief. The Kansan office will be closed from ten to one o'clock Saturday. The writer's heart is heavy today, and his words will be inadequate to express the sorrow and sense of loss he has sustained in the passing of Mr. Mack. Our friend's life has been as an open book in this community and throughout the state where he was well known and highly respected. He was born in Rising Sun, Ind., and came here in 1887. In 1892 he was married to Elizabeth Prentis, and to them was born one son, Prentis, who passed away when four years old. Mrs. Mack survives, as do two brothers, Charles C. Mack and George Mack, both now residing in California. He leaves numerous cousins in this locality. As a young man Mr. Mack taught school in Hesston, and later in the Newton city schools. He then served four years as county superintendent. Still later he served as postmaster, and in 1910 was census enumerator for the eighth district. He was elected to the legislature in 1920, 1926 and 1928, proving himself a leader in the lower house. At the time of his death he was a member of the State Highway Commission for the fifth district. He entered the newspaper business in Newton, March 1, 1896, 34 years ago. He became business manager of the Kansan in November, 1898. He incorporated the Kansan printing Company in 1907, and has been head of the company continuously. Two years ago he completed the handsome building which is now the home of the company.No more public-spirited and liberal citizen ever lived than he. He gave his time, and energy and his rare practical judgment to this city and county and state freely. He was always serving on committees, guiding the destinies of the Chamber of Commerce and other community activities. His dealings were always square as human intelligence could make them. His judgment was freely sought in many private as well as public matters. Today, as friends have learned of his passing, the universal expression has been, "we have lost one of our best men, and his place will be hard to fill." John Mack was a good man, a true friend, a genial companion, a square partner, a thoughtful, attentive husband. While the state and community loses a valuable citizen and worker, his passing leaves a void deepest and most intimate, save the heart of the home companion of his mature life, among those in the newspaper office, to whom he affectionately referred a "my family."