Neiswander, Alta (1911-1932)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Nov 2 p. 1

Birth date: 1911

text of obituary:

Auto Fatalities Claim Four Lives At Bluffton, O.

Bluffton, Ohio, Oct. 27. — Week-end auto fatalities in the Bluffton district mounted to four with the death of Miss Alta Neiswander, 21, of near Bluffton, of injuries received in a Pennsylvania railroad grade crossing crash on the County Line Roard [sic] near LaFayette early Monday.

Carey Steiner, 24, of Bluffton, and Marguerite Geiger, 19, of Pandora, other occupants of the car, suffered cuts and bruises.

The crash happened about 6 a. m. when the three were en route to Columbus, where Miss Neiswander was to have begun a course in beauty culture. Steiner, driver of the car, and Miss Geiger were returning to their studies at Ohio State university.

Dense fog is believed to have obscured the driver's vision of the crossing. The car first was struck by an eastbound train and then tossed in front of a westbound train. It was demolished.

The three victims were taken to the Bluffton hospital, where Miss Neiswander died at 9 a. m.

Surviving Miss Neiswander are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Neiswander. Funeral services were held this afternoon, 1:30 o'clock at the home and at 2 o'clock at the Mennonite church.

Twelve hours before the grade crossing mishap, three other residents of near Bluffton were killed and another injured seriously in an intersection auto collision on route 23 near Carey. They were Christ Diller, 50; his wife, Arvilla, 52, and Mrs. Ben Diller, 75, his mother. Miss Susan Diller, his sister, last night was believed to have a chance for recovery from a fractured skull. She is in a Fostoria hospital.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ben Diller were held at 9:30 a. m., Wednesday at the home of Menno Augsburger, of near Bluffton. Short services were held at 10 a. m in the First Mennonite church of Bluffton. The Rev. A. E. Kreider officiated at both services. Burial was in the Mennonite cemetery near Bluffton.

Services for Mr. and Mrs. Christ Diller were held at 2 p. m Wednesday at the home near Bluffton. A second service was held at 2:00 at St. John's Mennonite church near Pandora. Burial was in St. John's Mennonite cemetery. — Exchange.