Affidavit showing death of employee; payment.

Upon receiving an affidavit stating that a person previously in its employ is dead and that the affiant is the surviving spouse, the state or any of its political subdivisions, or any corporation, copartnership, association, individual, bank or trust company may pay to the affiant the amount of the wages, earnings, commissions, salary, travel or other reimbursement earned by the deceased and the affiant's receipt shall release the payor from all liability therefor.