SEARS, Glenn - Putnam

Glenn Sears, oldest son of Joe and Gertrude Sears was born in Greencastle, Indiana August 14, 1894.  Death came to him in Palestine, Illinois July 23, 1936 just a short time before he reached his 43rd birthday.  He is survived by his mother and father, two brothers, Clyde and Frank, both of Indianapolis and two sisters, Mrs. Carl Twigg of Greencastle and Mrs. Earl Fitchett of Indianapolis.  When Glenn was yet a boy he became identified with the Wallace Hagenbeck Company and almost 20 years of his life were spent in their employ.  This work Wallace Hagenbeck Company took him into all parts of the United States and the various scenes and activities appealed to his ever alert  mind and these experiences coupled with his naturally happy disposition made him an entertaining and interesting friend.  He enlisted in the service of his country  March 15, 1917 and was honorably discharged June 4, 1920.  During the World War he was stationed at Ft. Thomas, Kentucky and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.  He again enlisted Sept 8, 1920 and received honorable discharge on Sept 14, 19922.  Glenn, throughout life had to an unusual degree the art of making and holding friends.  Wherever he went, his generosity and friendliness endeared him to all and no service was ever too great for him to give to others.  He was especially fond of little children and was never happier than when visiting his young friends.  Today the family circle is broken, hearts are sad. Yet as the family recall the cheeriness of their son and brother and the happy courage with which he met life, they can hear him saying: “When I am gone, weep not for me.  Be happy always, let no gloom or sadness circle the home.  Be glad and brave, rejoice in the good gifts Heaven sends; for though I am gone, yet I am near.  Your smiles will still be of great worth.  And your old time happiness and mirth – I would still hear. The lights are all out, in the house of Clay; the curtains are drawn for he is away. God chose for him here a Man’s happy part, he acted bravely with hand and with heart.  God chose for him here a man’s happy part he acted bravely with hand and with heart.  The curtains are drawn in the House of Clay the tenant has gone he has moved away.  His life was not long yet its radiance spread long ere he passed on for he is not dead.  The lights are all out in this House of Clay the Curtains are drawn and he is away.”

Note: Hagenbeck-Wallace Company was a large circus began in 1907 when Ben Wallace purchased the Carl Hagenbeck Circus and merged the two together although in April of 1884 at Peru (yep, Indiana) the Wallace and Co’s Great World Menageries and other circus oriented

Entertainment.  – they lost much of their equipment and such to the 1913 flood and sold the company to American Circus Corporation although the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus still operated until 1938 (Wikipedia and A1 Overview).   –--kbz