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Baker, William Jay (1960-1965)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Oct 21 p. 3
Birth date: 1960
text of obituary:
TRAGEDY AT ELVERSON, PA.
Elverson, Pa. — There are four new graves in the Pine Grove Cemetery near here following what is believed to be the worst farm tragedy in this community since the first white settlers appeared here 247 years ago.
Four persons, three of them children at play, were killed Friday, Oct. 8, when a 50-foot high silo filled with new corn burst and collapsed on them.
Pronounced dead at the scene were Abner P. Stoltzfus, 39, his three-year-old daughter Debra Ann, Michael L. Mast, 11, William Jay Baker, 5, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal N. Balzer of rural Elverson, died several hours later at the Ephrata Hospital.
Oliver Mast, 34, father of Michael, miraculously escaped death but suffered a compound leg fracture, scalp lacerations, contusions and abrasions.
The tragedy occurred at 4:50 p.m. on the farm of Oliver Mast, a son of Jake E. Mast, known as Lancaster County's ”potato king.”
Mr. Stoltzfus, who rented the farm, was on a small truck drawing corn out of the bottom of the 50-year-old tile silo. It is thought the corn may have formed an arch which suddenly gave way and as it dropped caused tremendous pressure on the base of the silo. The structure collapsed with little warning.
It is believed Mr. Stoltzfus was crushed by a section of the silo wall. His daughter Debra and Michael Mast apparently died of suffocation. Pieces of the tile formed a sort of protective roof over Mr. Mast, thus saving his life.
The roar of the falling silo attracted the attention of a passerby who summoned aid. About 25 men sped toward the scene as word of the tragedy spread through the community.
Double funeral services for Mr. Stoltzfus and daughter were held Oct. 12 at the Holy Spirit Church in Reading, where the father was an active member.
Funeral services for the Balzer boy were held Oct. 10 at the Rock Mennonite Church near Elverson, with C. S. Kurtz and Merle Stoltzfus in charge. The following day, services for the Mast boy were conducted at the Conestoga Mennonite Church by Harvey Stoltzfus and Millard Shoup. Coming for the funeral was his grandmother, Mrs. Reuben Diller of Phoenix, Ariz., former mission worker in northern Minnesota. — Reported by C. Z. Mast.
