John Jay Whitmore, well known Ashland resident and business man of Ashland county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carl Strang, at 413 Buckeye street, at 7:20 last night after a lingering illness.

Mr. Whitmore, who was aIways known as "Jay" among his friends, was 86 years of age. He was born in Milton township February 25,1861, the son of the late Daniel W. and Permela Anderson Arnold Whitmore, and was the last of that family. He came to Ashland with his parents, at the age of eight years, attended school here for six years, and then moved to the farm east of Ashland, where he completed his schooling in the district school.

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary LeVina Finley on March 15, 1894, who was the only daughter of the late Patterson Finley and his first wife. She preceded him in death, as did four brothers, one sister, and three half-brothers.

For the past 48 years Mr. Whitmore resided in Ashland and worked at the F. E. Myers and Bro. Co. for a number of years, and later at the Ashland Malleable Co. until retiring. He was prominent in civic affairs, beginning in 1890, when he was elected real estate assessor for Montgomery township and Ashland. In 1900 he was elected township trustee, and again in 1915 and 1917, and county commissioner in l918. He lived his entire life in Ashland county, and had been retired for the last 15 years. He had made his home with his children since his wife's death in 1942. He was a member of the Church of Christ and a former member of the I.O.O.F. lodge.

Mr. Whitmore is survived by three children, Mrs. C. J. Smith of Dayton, Ohio, Ralph J. Whitmore and Mrs. Carl Strang of Ashland also six grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p. m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home, with Rev. Jay N. Booth in charge. Burial will be made in Ashland cemetery.

The body is at the funeral home, where friends may call this evening from 7:30 to 9:30.