His death certificate records Royal Eldon Worden, age 32 years 0 months 13 days, born 7 July 1909 in Nelsonville, Ohio, died 20 July 1940 at City Hospital, Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, married, husband of Sarah Worden, occupation employee Boys Industrial School, father Harley Worden, born Connersville, Ohio, mother’s maiden name Margaret Koon, born Donnville, Ohio, cause of death ruptured appendicitis gneralized peritonitis, informant Harley Worden, 308 Oak St., Nelsonville, Ohio, burial in Green Lawn.

The Ohio deaths database lists Esther M. Edwards, born 17 Mar 1909 in Athens, Athens Co., Ohio, died 22 July 1996 at Long-Term Care Facilities in Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, father’s surname Lands, mother’s maiden name Devore, widowed.

Royal and Esther must have divorced, because his death certificate listed his wife’s name as Sarah, but Esther outlived him by 56 years.

1930 census of Delaware Co., Indiana, Center township, Muncie ward 6, enumerated 11 April, lists on p. 10B as family #242/257, at 211 West Eighth St.:
Worden, Royal, 20, age at first marriage 18, meter reader for electric co; Esther, wife, 21, age at first marriage 19; Lands, Clarence, brother-in-law, 26, married, age at first marriage 21, machinist at gas works. All born Ohio Ohio Ohio.

Although Clarence Lands is listed as married, not widowed or divorced, there is no wife in evidence.