John Iler

College Park Man Drowns at Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake's first drowning fatality of the 1968 season somewhat later than usual was recorded Saturday night when John Iler, 39, of 105 Northwest Drive, College Park, drowned about 8:30 while swimming under Barnett's Bridge.
Dr. Jack R. Newman, Butts County Coroner, who investigated the drowning and performed the post mortem on the victim, said water was found in his lungs and that there was no evidence of violence or foul play. Coroner Newman said he was informed that Mr. Iler, in company with one or two companions, had come to the lake Saturday afternoon for an outing and that the victim, with one or more companions, was attempting to swim from one bank to the other underneath Barnett's Bridge.
As soon as the drowning was reported, the Butts County Sheriff's Department, the Butts County Rescue Unit, State Game and Fish rangers, and volunteer workers who were familiar with dragging operations began searching for Mr. Iler's body immediately, with it being recovered about 10:30 Saturday night in about 35 feet of water. Mr. Iler was an employee of a concrete company in College Park.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at three o'clock at the Church of God in Lawrenceville with the Rev. Lewis Stoner Jr. officiating. Interment was in the Fairview Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Gwinnett County with Tom Wages Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Iler is survived by a son, Master Leonard Hubert Iler, Dacula; mother, Mrs. Lottie Dowd, and step-father, Leon Dowd, both of Cobbtown; brother, Robert Iler of Raytown, Mo.; aunt, Mrs. Alzie Hanson, Lawrenceville.

(Jackson Progress Argus - 23 May 1968)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison