The Topeka Daily Capital Saturday November 12, 1927 John Sayre Downes, Topeka Leader, Dead. Funeral Services This Afternoon at 2 o'clock. Financial Leader Here for 27 Years, 12 as Head of the Aetna Building and Loan. Funeral services for John Sayre DOWNES, 72, former president of the Aetna Building & Loan Association, who died at his home, 712 West Eighth avenue, Thursday night, will be at the Wall-Diffenderfer mortuary at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. Burial will be in Topeka cemetery. Mr. DOWNES was born in Oneida county, N.Y., August 31, 1855. At the age of 20 he came to Kansas and settled in Marion. For three years he was a farmer and stockraiser. Then he entered the real estate business. Came Here From Marion in 1896. In 1896 he disposed of his Marion holdings and came to Topeka, where he became associated with the Aetna Building & Loan association. He was associated with that Topeka financial institution 27 years and served 12 years as its president. He was recognized as a man of sterling business qualities and of unquestionable honesty in his dealings. In June, 1883, Mr. DOWNES married Elizabeth CARTER of Kentucky. Besides his wife he is survived by two children, Roy H. DOWNES and Mrs. W. S. STADEL, Topeka; a borther, A.E. DOWNES, New York City; and two grandsons, Robert Roy MIZE and John Robert DOWNES, Topeka. The Aetna Building & Loan association enjoyed a remarkable growth during Mr. DOWNES' association with that institution. It grew from a small concern to an organization that extended thruout the United States and into foreign countries. He held the office until 1922. Mr. DOWNES was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Grace cathedral.