Kissler, Kenneth (1927-1936)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1936 Jul 29 p. 1

Birth date: 1927

text of obituary:

THREE LIVES LOST IN ACCIDENT AT CORN, OKLA.

Cordell, Okla. — Three lives are the tragic sacrifice claimed by a fire which occurred last Thursday afternoon when an automobile plunged into a gasoline pump at a Corn filling station. Two persons who survive are critically injured.

Henry Boese until recently a resident of Washita county, died late last Thursday night at the Florence hospital in Cordell as a result of general burns over his entire body.

Jacob Zielke of Corn was the second to die from injuries received in the blaze which destroyed the filling station building within a short time. He died last Friday noon in a Weatherford hospital of secondary burns about the lower part of his body, extending from his feet upward to his waist.

Kenneth Kissler of Corn, 9 years old, died Tuesday night in a Weatherford hospital from burns received when the car he was driving smashed into the filling station pump.

His father, Rueben [sic Reuben] Kissler, and his brother, Calvin Kissler, 12 years old, also were critically burned in the tragedy and have been patients in the Weatherford hospital. They were reported to be recovering.

The blaze occurred when the youthful driver lost control of the car and the automobile plunged into the gasoline pump, spraying the contents of the 10-gallon gasoline chamber over the car. Flames from the burning gasoline sprayed over the driveway covering the bodies of the two Kissler boys, of Mr. Boese, and of Mr. Zielke.

Reports of the tragedy which occurred so suddenly that it resulted in confusion stated that Mr. Zielke apparently was seated in the door of the filling station.

Ike Nikkel, owner of the station, was sitting inside the building.

Mr. Boese who was on his way to a farm sale near Corn from the G. C. Wheeler farm east of Clinton where he had moved recently had driven into the driveway of the station a few minutes before the accident and was leaning over an automobile tire repairing a puncture. Irvin Nikkel, employee at the station, was standing near him.

The two Kissler boys and their father drove into the station for gasoline. The younger boy who was driving apparently lost control of the car and plunged into the gasoline pump. Mr. Kissler pulled his two sons from the automobile and removed the clothing from their bodies.

Mr. Boese, his body covered by the burning gasoline, dashed screaming from the station. Every step he made set fire to pieces of grass. His shoes were burned almost off his feet and his clothing was in blazes. He ran about 30 yard before a witness shoved him to the ground and jerked his clothing from his body.

Mr. Zielke also dashed away from the station, running about 20 yard before he fell to the ground.

Irvin Nikkel, standing beside Mr. Boese, jumped at the instant of the crash and missed the burning gasoline. The owner of the station narrowly escaped being trapped inside the blazing building.

The station and the Kissler and the Boese automobiles were a complete loss. The Weatherford fire department was called to help put our the fire.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for both Mr. Boese an Mr. Zielke. The rites for Mr. Boese were held at the Fairview church near Colony, conducted by the Rev. W. I. Smith, Methodist minister of Hydro. Burial was made at the Weatherford cemetery, Mr. Boese is survived by his wife and five children.

Funeral services for Mr. Zielke were held at the Corn Mennonite church and burial was made int he church cemetery. Mr. Zielke who was a widower is survived by two daughters, Evelyn and Elsie, and by six brothers and four sisters.

Announcement of funeral services for the little Kissler boy had not been received Thursday morning. — Cordell Beacon.