Alvin Guy Ayers, 95 years old, born Haven Township, St Cloud, MN Sept. 10, 1920 to parents Mary E. Schwochert and Guy W.Ayers.   Alvin graduated from St Cloud Technical High School in 1938. He attended St Cloud Teachers College from 1938 to 1942. While enrolled he joined the Civil Air Patrol where he learned to fly.  He interrupted his studies when WWII broke out, initially serving as a civilian flight instructor, then enlisting and serving four years as a navy pilot.  He received an honorable discharge in 1946 with a rank of LT.USNR.

 

March 31, 1945, while in the Navy, Alvin married Lieutenant (jg) Eileen M. Cummings, a Navy nurse from Boston, Massachusetts at the Opa Locka, Air Base, Miami, Florida.  

 

In 1947 following the war he returned to St Cloud, MN and took a position as a commercial pilot. He retired as a Captain from Braniff International in 1980 after 33 years of service.

 

 Captain Ayers logged more than 31,000 hours of flight covering an estimated distance of 9,300,000 miles.

 

After his father’s death in 1948, Alvin and Eileen took over operation of the family farm. He and Eileen had 5 children, who continue to operate the farm today. The farm has been in continuous family ownership for 138 years, since 1878.

 

Alvin served on the Haven Township Board as town clerk from 1964-1966.  He acted as Secretary Treasurer during the organization of the Tri-County Farmers Union Elevator, later named the Clear Lake Elevator and served on the board 1958-1971. He was actively involved in the Sherburne County DFL and served two terms as Chair.  He was a life-long member of St Augustine’s Parish.

 

Ayers was elected Sherb.Co. Commissioner for District#3 in 1980 and served for12 years. 

 

Ayers died peacefully, March 6, 2016 at the Country Manor Nursing Home in Sartell, MN. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and wife, Eileen.  He is survived by his sister, Margaret (Ayers) Snyder of California; five children, Stephen G. Ayers (Deanna Hammond), Kathryn Ayers, Evelyn Ayers (Timothy Looby), Jeanne Ayers, Mary Louise Ayers (Phil Canova); and nine beloved grandchildren Grey Boyer (Rena LaDuke), Kelsey Smogard-Ayers, Soren Smogard-Ayers, Maureen Ayers Looby (Mathew Olson), Bridget Ayers Looby, Anna Ayers Looby, Emily Ayers-Johnson(Adam Langenfeld), Margaret Ayers-Johnson, Joseph Ayers-Johnson;  and three great grandchildren,  Alexandra and Mason Boyer and Erin Ayers Johnson-Langenfeld; and nieces and nephews.

 

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Fri., March 11 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Reverend Aaron Nett officiated. Burial with military honors was held at Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud.