NEWBERRY — John Cecil Eargle Sr., 91, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at his residence.

Born on Nov. 4, 1921, in Newberry County, he was a son of the late James Haskell and Agnes Eargle Eargle.

He was a WWII Army veteran, having served in the South Pacific for three years ,five months, and eight days. He retired from the City of Newberry and served on Newberry City Council. He also served on the Piedmont Municipal Power Association Board. He was a former member of the Newberry Civitan Club where he served a term as president. Mr. Eargle was a member of Clayton Memorial Unitarian-Universalist Church where he taught the Adult Sunday School Class and served as Chairman of the Board for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Nell Halfacre Eargle; a son, John C. Eargle Jr. and wife, Susan of Newberry; a sister, Theresa Eargle of New York, N.Y.; a brother Ken Eargle of Laurens; grandchildren, Austin Mills, Dominic Ceresani, Necco Ceresani, Benjamin Eargle, and Emily Eargle.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Johnna E. Mills; sisters, Florence Hamm, Elma Long, and Ester Hayes; brothers Albert Eargle and Earl Eargle.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at Clayton Memorial Unitarian-Universalist Church. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home from 6-7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Halfacre-Clayton Memorial Cemeteries Fund, 1810 Harper St., Newberry, SC 29108.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

A memorial message may be sent to the family at www.mcswainevans.com