John Ellis Near – 1844-1929
Elizabeth Jane Monaghan – 1852-1927

John Ellis Near was born December 8, 1844 in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Upper Canada the son of Henry Neher and Maria J. Ellis.

Family of John Ellis Near and Elizabeth Jane Monaghan

Obituary of John Ellis Near

John Ellis Near died Friday October 25, 1929. And from the Kitchener, "Preston Daily Record" section, Fri October 25, 1929, page 3:

JOHN NEAR DIES     AFTER ILLNESS         LASTING A YEAR --- Served as Caretaker Of Grand- view School for Many Years; Was In His 85th Year ---     John Near who for over 25 years has been a resident of Preston, who until illness about a year ago prevented him continuing his duties was caretaker of Grandview school, passed away at his home, 953 Moore street, this morning at 6:15 o'clock. He was in his 85th year.     Altho he did not take an active part in town affairs, the late Mr. Near always evinced a keen interest in what was going on about the community. Prior to coming to Preston he lived at Doon for many years and previous to that farmed in Grafaxa [Garafraxa] township.     Keenly interested in sports in his younger days, Mr. Near followed with interest the progress of local baseball teams. He was an ardent hunter.     He was a member of the United Church and at one time belonged to the I.O.O.F.     Mrs. Near predeceased him two years ago, while one daughter, Mrs. W. J. Tyler, died about nine years ago. There are surviving five daughters and four sons. They are Mrs. John Uttley, Alberta, Mrs. J. H. Maffin, Galt, Mrs. Theo. Winn, Preston, Mrs. E. H. Wildfong, Preston, Mrs. Charles Gingerich, Preston, William of Kitchener, Anderson at home in Preston, Albert of Preston and Wallace also of Preston.     The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock from the late residence at the above address. Services will be conducted by Rev. R. M. Geiger, pastor of the United church, after which interment will be made in Preston cemetery.

The couple are buried in section "E" of the Preston Old Cemetery. Their headstone reads:

In loving memory of / John Ellis Near / died Oct. 25, 1929 in 85th year / Elizabeth Jane / Monahan / beloved wife of John E. Near / died Dec 20, 1927 / in her 77th year / at rest / NEAR

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Obituary of Elizabeth Jane Monaghan

John's wife Elizabeth died Tuesday December 20, 1927. And from the Daily Record under "Preston Obituary", Wed December 21, 1927, page 3:

--- Mrs. John Near     Death removed a highly esteemed citizen yesterday afternoon in the person of Elizabeth Monahan, wife of John Near, who passed away at 3 o'clock following an illness of several weeks. The late Mrs. Near was in her 77th year and for the last decade had been residing with her husband on Moore street moving here from Doon. The family originally came from Garafraxa. Mrs. Near was a member of the Methodist church, now the United Church, for many years and she was always actively associated with church work. Her life was well spent and she always lived up to the highest and best in this way winning the love of those with whom she came in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Near were able to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary only recently. Their union was blessed with ten children, nine of whom are still living. One daughter Mrs. W. Tyler, of Burke's Falls, predeceased her by eight years. The funeral will be held at 2.30 o'clock Friday afternoon from the United Church.     Besides her bereaved husband the deceased is survived by five daughters, Mrs. J. Uttley, of Big Valley, Alta.; Mrs. J. Maffin, of Galt; Mrs. T. B. Winn, of Preston; Mrs. E. Wildfong, Preston and Mrs. C. Gingrich, Preston, also four sons, W. J. Near, of Kitchener, and Albert, Andrew and Wallace of Preston.

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Most recent revision March 1999