Rev. Edmund L. Worley (1890-1965)

Nathan Worley family, early 1890's

WORLEYS ARE SURPRISED

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Worley were surprised last Sunday when several auto loads of people drove up to their home and gave them a surprise. Mr. Worley preaches at the Deep River church every Sunday and after he left Sunday, members of his congregation followed them home and gave them a surprise in honor of Mr. Worley’s birthday anniversary which occurred a few days ago. A fine dinner was served from the well-filled baskets of the visitors, and a most enjoyable day was spent by all present. Those who were in the party were as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. James Frame and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Jackson and family, Mr. and Mrs. O.S. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Buttes and son, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Morris and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Strong and son, Elmer Strong and Luella Prott, Nellie, Myrtle and Lowell Hendershott, Mr. and Mrs. Art Weiter, Mrs. Pearl Doeppeng and son, Mrs. C.S. Guernsey and daughter, and Miss Alice Hang.

The following undated clipping from an unknown source came from the collection of Mrs. Doris Jean Worley Hartman:

A familiar figure in Southern Lake county, especially in Cedar Creek township, where he spent his lifetime, is Rev. Edmond L. Worley. The high esteem in which he is held was demonstrated on Sunday evening, June 7th when a reception was given in his honor at the Shelby Church of Christ. June 7th marked the completion of 20 years of service rendered as minister of the Shelby Church. The reception dinner was a complete surprise to Rev. Worley and Mrs. Worley, who serves as pianist, and they are most appreciative of the thoughtful consideration of the members of their congregation who instigated the pleasant affair. Like his parents, the late Nathan and Malissa Stone Worley, and his grandparents, . . .

The article was cut off at this point.

Rev. E.L. Worley Elected President Of Rural Freedom

Rev. E. L. Worley was elected to the presidency of Rural Freedom, Inc., at the annual organizational meeting held Monday evening in the Worley home. He succeeds Thomas A. Green.

Others elected to serve are Charles Kouder, vice president: Dorothy Radio, secretary and Alice Peterson, treasurer. John Schneider was voted the chairmanship of the Board of Directors. Directors include Bert Moyer, Elvin Graves, Boyd Wason, August Wietbrock, Virgil Misner, Harold Sutton, E.L. Worley, John Schneider, Jim Watts, Jr., and Alice Peterson. Tom Green will serve as official representative of the group.

Rural Freedom, Inc., the outgrowth of revolt against corrupt political practices, has done much to stimulate the interest of Lake county residents in their local government. This group of south county taxpayers have ferreted out information that has alerted the vigilance of all citizens.

Rev. Worley's policy for the ensuing year is the continued fight for government that is truly for the people, administered by officials of integrity.

Rev. Worley New President of Rural Freedom

Lowell -- The new president of Rural Freedom, Inc., [a] southern Lake County group organized in 1952 to represent rural interests in county affairs, is the Rev. E. L. Worley.

Worley was elected to succeed former President Thomas A. Green in a meeting in Lowell early this week. Green was designated "official representative" of the organization.

OTHER OFFICERS are Charles Kouder, vice president; Dorothy Radio, secretary and Alice Peterson, treasurer.

Members of the board of directors are John Schneider, Bert Moyer, Elvin Graves, Boyd Wason, August Wietbroch, Virgil Misner, Harold Sutton and Jim Watts Jr.

REV. AND MRS. E.L. WORLEY MARK 39TH ANNIVERSARY -- GUESTS AT DPW DINNER

Rev. and Mrs. E.L. Worley marked their 39th wedding anniversary Wednesday, October 27, and that evening were dinner guests of the Lake County Department of Public Welfare at Vogel's Restaurant in Whiting. Rev. Worley, Pastor of the Shelby Church of Christ and president of Rural Freedom, had been invited to give the invocation.

More than 30 public officials, civic leaders, and welfare workers were in attendance. Principal speaker was E.L. Krejci, general superintendent of the American Steel Foundries at Hammond.

The following article was found in the May 29, 1958, Lowell Tribune on page 1, columns 4-6:

Marks Silver Anniversary As Pastor of Shelby Church

Sunday, May 25th, marked the completion of the 25th year as a minister in the Shelby Church of Christ for the Rev. E.L. Worley. Faithfully working by his side during those years was Mrs. Worley, who has served as church pianist and as the head of the primary department.

In his early years of pastorate, he also ministered the Christian churches at Deep River and Virgie.

Rev. Worley, who was ordained in 1923, has been in ministerial work for 35 years, and in that time estimates that he has conducted 900 funerals, 450 weddings, and has baptized nearly 600 persons, about 300 of them at the Shelby church. The Worleys have driven thousands of miles in their work, visiting the sick and giving comfort to those who mourned.

In rendering these years of service, Rev. Worley was absent from the pulpit only ten times in 24 years until illness last summer forced him to rest.

In honor of the occasion a basket dinner was held in the church dining room following the Bible study service Sunday. A lovely three tiered anniversary cake centered the table of honor. Rev. and Mrs. Worley were presented with a beautiful lighted picture of the head of Christ, a gift from the congregation. Members and friends also presented them with cash gifts.

To complete the memorable day, baptismal services were conducted following the Sunday evening service. Congratulations are again extended to the Rev. and Mrs. Worley.