Coblentz, Paul M. (1932-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1932

text of obituary:

2,500 Attend Services For Amish Farmer Killed in Hold-Up

APPREHEND TWO YOUNG MEN FOR SLAYING IN HOLMES COUNTY, OHIO

Sugarcreek, Ohio. — An estimated 2,500 persons attended funeral services at the farm of Mose Coblentz west of Mt. Hope on July 22 for his 25-year-old son, Paul Coblentz, Amish father who was brutally slain by two youthful gunmen in his basement house. It was believed one of the largest Amish funerals ever held in Ohio.

The tragic chain of events at the Coblentz home began late in the evening of July 18 when two drunken young men entered and demanded all of the money in the house. Their request was met, but one of the bandits then started to assault the young mother, Mrs. Dora Coblentz, and threatened to kill their 19-month-old daughter. Hearing her cries for help, the young father attempted to leave the house to sumon [sic] his father from the large farmhouse on the same yard. He was shot down as he started through the door.

Finds Son Dead

The young bandits then made their escape. The father, hearing the shooting, came to investigate and found his son dead of a bullet wound through the head.

The two young men identified as the perpetrators of the crime were later apprehended at Lacon, Ill. and were returned to Holmes County to face charges of first degree murder. Under Ohio law convictions calls for execution in the electric chair.

Main sermons at the services for young Coblentz were preached by Bishop Emanuel chrock of independence, Iowa, John D. Frey of Millersburg, and Bishop Andrew J. Mast of Holmesville.

Surviving, in addition to the bereaved widow and little daughter, Esther, are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mose Coblentz, one brother and two sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 15 p. 3

text of obituary:

. . .

— A report from Mt. Hope, Holmes County, Ohio, states that one of the two murderers of Paul M. Coblentz, young Amish farmer there, is to have confessed that they had originally selected the Holmes county sheriff as their victim — "just for a thrill." Failing in this plan, and having wrecked a stolen truck in the dark, they were attracted to the Coblentz farm home by the light that was still on. It is there that the tragic shooting took place as Coblentz attempted to run for help. Again, as in so many similar cases, liquor played a part in the crime.