The Rev. Cassius R. Tanner, 60, of 2322 Fifth Avenue, died Friday afternoon at a local hospital.

He had been associate pastor of First Methodist Church of Scottsbluff before retiring June 1 of this year because of failing health.

He was born Sept. 21, 1901 near Melbeta, the son of Frank and Mary Tanner, pioneer settlers in the Melbeta community. He was graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1920 and from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1924. He was active in athletics in college and a member of the Blue Key organization.

He taught school for one year after graduation from college. On Jan. 6, 1926, he was married to Ella Johnson at Tekamah and the same year entered the ministry. He was ordained into the Nebraska Methodist Conference in 1930.

During his years of ministry, he served churches at Whitman, Lakeside, Farnam, Potter, Tekamah, Elwood, Plainview, Morrill and Scottsbluff.

Over the years he had been active in Boy Scouting, had served on the board of the Temperance League, and had held several offices in the church conference.

Survivors include his widow; two sons, Eldon E. of Denver and Neil F. of Superior, Wyo.; one brother, L. G. Tanner of Cheyenne; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Hall of Scottsbluff and Mrs. A. H. Bender of Gering; and one grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First Methodist Church of Scottsbluff with the Revs. Richard E. Carlyon, Paul Martin and Otto Quaife officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Benson-Coulthard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial has been established to First Methodist Church of Scottsbluff.

Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald 61(125):1 Saturday, November 25, 1961