Canton Repository Article by Reporter Gary Brown

Sept. 9, 2011:  A sunny sky with warm temperature was the setting for Masonic memorial service presented by members of William McKinley Lodge 431 Friday afternoon at the steps of McKinley National Memorial. Also participating in the service was Niles McKinley Lodge 794.

Gust Goutras, Worshipful Master of the Lodge 431, and Douglas Nutter, Worshipful Master of Lodge 794, offered the welcome after colors were posted by the Canton Commandry No. 38 Knights Templar under the command of Robert Habony. William E. Noggle led the pledge of allegiance.

Robert Hahn offered the opening prayer.

Then came a number of brief historical accounts of the life of President McKinley. Nutter offered words about McKinley’s early years. Wesley Webber spoke on McKinley as a soldier and Freemason. (The photo posted here, courtesy of Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, shows McKinley as a private after enlisting for Civil War service.) Jeff Diss discussed McKinley’s life after serving in the Civil War. Robert Smith gave a talk on the Front Porch Campaign. And James Fidler spoke of the red carnation that was McKinley’s symbol and grew to be Ohio’s state flower.

The Masonic funeral service was opened by William E. Peters. The reading of the scroll was offered by William Merriman III. Tyler Daniel Thomas recited the 23rd Psalm. The first prayer was offered by Terry Rundquist and the second prayer by Clyde T. Vickers. The funeral service was performed by Edward King and the apron was presented by Clyde H. Vickers. Friends were addressed by Louis E. Beaver.

At the conclusion of the service, Goutras and Nutter dedicated the wreath.