OBIT: Eber K. COCKLEY, 1974, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA
  
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  COCKLEY
  
  Community Mourns Passing of Historian Eber Cockley
  
    One of the community's most prominent citizens, Eber K. Cockley, passed
  away on February 12 in Meyersdale Community Hospital following a lengthy
  illness.
    Mr. Cockley, who was 81 at the time of his death is mourned by a host of
  friends and admirers because of his outstanding work in genealogy and with
  the Somerset County Historical Society over recent years.
  
  Leaves a Void
  
    In the field of compiling historical facts and family histories, Mr.
  Cockley's death will leave a void that will be difficult to fill.
    Because of his activity in the community, Mr. Cockley received numerous
  honors, among them none more important than the Rotary Citizen of the Year
  Award, which he received in 1972, along with Mrs. Cockley, who shared the
  honor.
    This was the 10th annual Citizen of the Year Award presented by the
  Meyersdale Rotary Club and the first and only one presented to a
  husband-wife team.
    Judge Thomas F. Lansberry, who presented the Citizen of the Year award to
  the Cockleys in 1972, and Mr. Cockley laboriously planned and worked for
  organization of the Somerset County Historical and Genealogical Society.
  
  First President
  
    Mr. Cockley was the first president of the Society and was succeeded by
  Judge Lansberry, who also is deceased.
    To Mr. Cockley goes much of the credit for realization of the new
  Historical Center near Somerset.
    Mr. Cockley was editor of the Laurel Messenger, the official publication
  of the Historical Society, since its beginning.  He was a member of the
  Huguenot Society of Pennsylvania.
  
  Long-Time Lion
  
    A long-time Lion, Mr. Cockley was a charter member of the local club, a
  member of the Berlin Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of
  Hillcrest Grange and of the Somerset Chapter of the Sons of the American
  Revolution.
    He was a member of Meyersdale Amity United Church of Christ.
    It was in 1960 that Mr. Cockley retired following 50 years as an agent
  and telegrapher for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  He was the local
  chairman of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers.
    At the time of his death, Mr. Cockley was president-emeritus genealogist
  of the Historical Society.
  
  Shippensburg Native
  
    Born near Shippensburg on May 28, 1892, Mr. Cockley was a son of Harry
  and Annie Sumbaugh Cockley.
    Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Marguerite Lepley Cockley, librarian at the
  Meyersdale Public Library; a daughter, Mrs. Dale Schussler, Colerain, Ohio;
  two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Mrs. Robert M.
  Leisher, Chambersburg.
    Friends were received at the William R. Price Funeral Home, where
  services were conducted Feb. 15, the Rev. Lloyd Sechrist officiating.
  Interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery, Meyersdale RD 1.
  
    In lieu of flowers, the family requested that expressions of sympathy
  take the form of contributions to the Meyersdale Public Library or the
  Somerset County Historical Society.
  
  Meyersdale Republican, February 21, 1974
  
  [C0622-C0623]