Schwartz, John L. (1934-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Sep 25 p. 7

Birth date: 1934

text of obituary:

Father and Son Killed When Truck Rolls 500 Feet Down Hillside

THREE OTHERS ESCAPE DEATH IN WASHINGTON LOGGING ACCIDENT

Monroe, Wash. — Tragedy struck two Monroe families early Wednesday morning, Sept. 10. When a woods accident claimed the life of a father and son, Albert L. Schwartz, 57, of Route 2, and John L. Schwartz, 24, of Route1, Monroe.

Also involved in the accident were Rolland Bahnmiller of Monroe, who suffered a broken nose and bruises, LeRoy Schwartz, also a son of Albert Schwartz, of Route 2, and Howard Matkins, who suffered minor bruises and scratches. Bahnmiller is a son-in-law of Mr. Schwartz.

The Schwartzes, Bahnmiller and Matkins were making their way approximately six miles north of Goldbar in the Wallace River section in a dump truck, climbing a steep grade and approaching the site of donkey set-up that was used to winch the truck higher. The vehicle was stopped, then began to slide back on wet ground. LeRoy, the driver, in an effort to halt the sliding truck, tried to back into a bank, but was unsuccessful. The truck left the roadway, rolling down a steep hillside for about 500 feet.

Trapped in Cab

The report stated that apparently John and Albert were trapped in the cab, while the remaining three were thrown clear. The accident happened about 6:00 a. m. LeRoy notified authorities about 6:30 a. m. after a strenuous cross-country run to a telephone.

Survivors of Albert Schwartz are his widow, Linda of Route 2, Monroe; one son, LeRoy; three daughters, Mrs. Ted Wilner of Route 2, Mrs. Rolland Bahnmiller, of Monroe, and Mrs. John M. Peters of Fairbanks, Alaska; 16 grandchildren; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Schwartz of Route 2, Monroe; five sisters, Mrs. Henry Gerber and Mrs. Harry Albrecht of Oregon, Mrs. Ella Flickinger of Burrton, Kan., Mrs. Alvin Clark and Robert Hanson of Seattle, Wash.; three brothers, Clarence Schwartz of Route 2, Monroe, Alfred Schwartz and Emil Schwartz of California.

Mourning the untimely death of John L. Schwartz are his widow, Delores Schwartz of Route 1, Monroe, three children, Cindy, Lori and Mark; his mother, one brother and three sisters, and a host of other relatives, including his grandparents, John J. Schwarz's and John S. Schwartz, all of Route 2, Monroe.

Double funeral services were held for Mr. Schwartz and his son at 1:00 p. m. Saturday in Purdy and Kerr Funeral Chapel, Rev. Frank Ewert and Rev. George Kopper officiating.