Karl A. Gaffner, 75, of 315 N. Boone St.,  lifelong resident of Olney, World War I, overseas veteran, former owner of Gaffner’s Drug Store, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in Olney, and prominent citizen of Olney, died Saturday afternoon, December 16, 1967 at the Richland Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Gaffner was born in Olney, October 24, 1892, son of the late Robert and Emma (Gissler) Gaffner.  He lived here his entire life and was one of the city’s leading businessmen for many years, as well as being an officer at the bank for many years.  He was united in marriage with Mildred Clodfelter on December 10, 1917.

He was a First Lieutenant, U. S. Army,  serving overseas during World War I, and also served with the Army of Occupation in Germany for six months following the war.

He attended and graduated from Olney High School in 1910, attended and graduated from the Illinois School of Optometry in Chicago after which time he joined with his father and brother Edwin in the operation of Gaffner’s Drug Store.  Following the death of their father, Robert, the Drug Store was operated by the two brothers.  Following the retirement of his brother, Edwin in 1942, Karl continued the operation of the store for ten years.  Following the closing of the banks in 1929, he was appointed Executor of the First National Bank and under his supervision the bank was reestablished as a thriving and sound organization.  He then was made president of the bank in which capacity he served for a number of years.  He later was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, in which capacity he still served at the time of his death.

Mr. Gaffner was affiliated with many Masonic organizations as well as VFW, American Legion and Olney Elks.

Mr. Gaffner is survived by his wife, Mildred; a daughter, Mrs. Jack G. (Jean) Raymond of Olney; a sister, Mrs. Byron (Eloise) Kinkade of Kirkwood, Mo.; two granddaughters, Mrs. Beverly Butler and Miss Melinda Barber; three great-grandchildren.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Nellie Elizabeth Cope and Zoe Ann Gaffner and one brother, John Edwin Gaffner.

Funeral services in the Chapel of the Schaub Funeral Home with the Rev. Carl Bennett officiating.  Interment in Haven Hill Cemetery.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)