A. J. Rumely, Sr., 87, of 1410 Indiana avenue, prominent
industrialist and the late member of the family of the founder of
the former M. Rumely company here, died at 2 a. m. today at the
Holy Family hospital.
Mr. Rumely had been in failing health in recent weeks, but until
the past month he had continued his activities in his many civic
interests, and he remained chairman of the board of the LaPorte
Foundry company, the firm he founded here in 1916.
He was a lifelong resident of’ LaPorte and the last survivor
of the nine children of Meinrad and Theresa Rumely. Meinrad Rumely
was the founder of the M. Rumely company here, which was famous for
its development of the Oil-Pull Rumely tractor and other farm
equipment.
Mr. Rumely was born here Jan. 12, 1876 and attended LaPorte
schools. He graduated from the old Notre Dame academy in 1894 and
received a degree in engineering from Purdue university in 1898. He
was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity of Purdue university.
President In 1911
He joined the M. Rumely company and served as president of the
company in 1911 and until 1916 when he founded the LaPorte Foundry
company, of which he was president, until 1956 when he became
chairman of the board and was succeeded as president by his son, A.
J. Rumely, Jr.
Mr. Rumely was extremely active in religious and civic affairs
in LaPorte for many years. He served as president of the LaPorte
Chamber of Commerce in 1932-33-34. He was a past president of the
advisory board of the Holy Family hospital and was active in
support of the hospital for more
than 60 years. Mr. Rumely was a trustee of the St Joseph’s
Catholic church and of its Holy Name society and was a past trustee
of Ruth C. Sabin home.
He was a prominent Rotarian here, having founded and directed
for more than 15 years the LaPorte Rotary club crippled
children’s fund through which Mr. Rumely helped in financing
the annual summer camp for crippled children at Camp Koch Troy.
Ind.
Raised Money
The project raised approximately $1,000 annually for crippled
children of LaPorte county to attend camp. He initiated the Sam
Campbell lectures here in which the late author and lecturer
appeared annually in LaPorte with films of the out-of-doors.
The Rotary club of LaPorte honored Mr. Rumely as ‘Rotarian
of the Year’ in 1960 for his dedication to the crippled
children’s movement. District 654 of Rotary International also
honored Mr. Rumely that year.
Mr. Rumely was for many years a director of the Gray Iron
Foundry society. He received an award from the society in 1950 for
his years of service to the organization connected with the
industry he headed.
He also was a member of the Elks lodge and was among the
organizers of the Civic Music association here, in the early
1920’s. Later he served on the board of directors of the
LaPorte Community Concert association.
Served On Boards
He was chairman of a number of fund-raising committees for the
LaPorte county chapter of the American-National Red Cross and he
served on the boards of the LaPorte County Tuberculosis
association, the’ former American Cancer society unit here, and
the local branch of the Indiana Heart Foundation.
Mr. Rumely was married in Chicago on June 9, 1909 to Miss Hannah
Berghoff, of Chicago, who survives. Survivors also include two
sons, A. J. Rumely, Jr., LaPorte, and Robert, New York City; one
daughter, Mrs. Herman Terzino, LaPorte, and 10 grandchildren. Eight
brothers and sisters preceded him in death.
