Keith, Walter (1897-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1897

text of obituary:

Services At Wichita For Driver of Gas Truck

HILBERT GRUNDMAN, TWO TRAINMEN DIE IN FIERY CRASH AT CROSSING

Wichita, Kans. — Funeral services for Hilbert W.[sic Fred] Grundman, 26, who was instantly killed here Saturday when the gasoline transport he was driving was struck by a Rock Island Rocket train, were held Tuesday forenoon at the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite church. Rev. G. S. Stoneback, the pastor, officiated.

Mr. Grundman, a native of the Moundridge community, is survived by his wife, Helen, two children, Edna E. and Keith Allen, and a step-son, Jimmie Williams; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Grundman of Valley Center; three brothers, Walter of Wichita, Milton of Moundridge, and Harvey in Korea; and one sister, Mrs. Esther Kater of Mulvane.

Witnesses to the tragic crash stated that the truck driven by Mr. Grundman stopped momentarily at the crossing, and then pulled into the path of the speeding passenger train. A terrific explosion and flash of fire followed as the truck was crumpled into a mass of wreckage.

The train continued on through the flames and was brought to a stop about a mile away by an automatic safety device. A short time later the bodies of Walter Keith, 56, the engineer, and Harold G Mowat, 56, the fireman, both of Herington, were removed from the charred diesel engine. The passengers and other crew members were uninjured.