Burkholder, Clara (1924-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 9 p. 5

Birth date: 1924 Oct 27

text of obituary:

LARGE FUNERAL FOR DROWNING VICTIM AT NAPPANEE, INDIANA

Nappanee, Ind. — An estimated 1,000 people attended the funeral services for Miss Clara Burkholder held here on Wednesday, August 1. Miss Burkholder died as a result of drowning the previous Sunday.

The following is an account of the tragedy as given by the Wakarusa Tribune:

Miss Clara Burkholder, aged 20, of four miles west of Nappanee, on route 6, drowned at 4 p.m. Sunday in Sand Lake, Colon, Mich., where she was visiting Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wickey,formerly of Nappanee.

Miss Burkholder and three others, Miss Anna Schrock, Ardena Nisly and Ernest Yoder, all of near Nappanee, were out on the lake in a rowboat and the boat upset, throwing all four into the water. The other three were saved by persons who saw the accident while on the shore but Miss Burkholder, seized with panic, fought off rescue, it was said. The lake is a small private one.

Miss Burkholder was born Oct. 27, 1924, near Nappanee, the daughter of John J. and Fannie Burkholder. Surviving are her father, and step-mother; three brothers, Andrew, Isaac and Ira, and four sisters, Anna, Mary, Laura and Edna, at home. The first three named sisters were visiting with her in the Wickey home.

Miss Burkholder was a member of the Amish church.