Schroeder, Tobe Irven (1930-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jan 6 p. 1

Birth date: 1930 Jan 2

text of obituary:

Tragedy at Ringwood, Okla., Takes Lives of Six in One Family

ORLEY SCHROEDER AND FIVE CHILDREN DIED AS RESULT OF EXPLOSION AND FIRE

Friends in Oklahoma and Kansas were shocked to hear of the tragic death of Orley Schroeder and five children at Ringwood, Okla., who shortly before Christmas lost their lives in or following an explosion and fire which completely destroyed their farm home near Ringwood. The accident happened Saturday night, Dec. 18.

A large crowd of grief-stricken relatives and friends attended the funeral for the six victims held at the Holdeman church southeast of Fairview, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 22.

The Enid (Okla.) Morning News of Dec. 21 gives the following details of the tragedy:

"Mrs. Schroeder, only surviving member of the family of seven, was suffering considerably last night but it was believed she would recover. She received superficial facial burns and severe burns on hands and feet. She remains at the local hospital where she was taken after the fire and where three of the children, Toby, 13, Rowena, 11, and John, 4, died Sunday.

"Mr. Schroeder and two children, Susie Jane, 9, and Geneva, 11 months, perished in the fire which was caused by gasoline which exploded as Mr. Schroeder was filling a gasoline cook stove in the same room in which a kerosene lamp was burning.

"The Schroeder family had resided at Ringwood for about six years having come to Oklahoma from Lehigh, Kans.

"Survivors include Mr. Schroeder's mother, Mrs. Susie Schroeder of near Longdale; his two sisters, Mrs. Edna Buller and Mrs. Iva Eicher, both of Foley, Ala.; and brother, Edward Schroeder of California. Also surviving are Mrs. Schroeder's mother, Mrs. Henry Boehs, and brother, Dave Boehs, both of Ringwood; and a sister Mrs. Ervina Ratzlaff, Lehigh, Kans."

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jan 20 p. 3

SHROEDER [sic SCHROEDER]

(EDITOR'S NOTE: In publishing these brief annals of six members of the Orley Schroeder family so suddenly and tragically called away at their home near Ringwood, Okla., on December 18 and 19, the Review joins the hundreds of friends in extending deepest sympathy to the surviving widow and mother.

May God, whose heart is infinite compassion, grant His comfort and strength.)

Orley Schroeder was born in McPherson county, Kansas, November 26, 1906. He died December 18, 1943, at the age of 37 years and 19 days.

Tobe Irven Schroeder was born January 2, 1930, and died December 19, 1943, at 2:45 A. M. at the age of 13 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

Rolena May Schroeder was born November 30, 1931, and died December 19, 19543, at 5:30 A.M. at the age of 12 years and 19 days.

Susie Jane Schroeder was born June 25, 1935, and died December 18, 1943, at 8:45 P.M. at the age of 8 years, 5 months and 23 days.

John Dale Schroeder was born April 7, 1939, and died December 19, 1943, at 11:30 A.M. at the age of 4 years, 8 months and 12 days.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Jan 18 p. 15