Esh, Mary L. (1950-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 1 p. 4

Birth date: 1950

text of obituary:

Accidents Claim Two Lives In Lancaster County, Pa.

NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL, 72-YEAR-OLD GRANDFATHER ARE VICTIMS

Lancaster, Pa. — A nine-year-old girl and a 72-year-old father and grandfather lost their lives in separate accidents near here the week of Sept. 13.

Mary L. Esch died of accidental strangulation at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Esh, Jr. of Route 1, Gordonville. A sufferer from cerebral palsy, she was unable to walk and was confined to a crib. The doctor said the child apparently toppled over and became wedged in a corner of the crib where two sides had come appart [sic].

Besides her parents, she is survived by nine brothers and sisters. Burial was made in the Amish cemetery near Ronks.

Aaron Newswenger of Bird-in-Hand met instant death while working in the field with a tractor. The cause of the accident is unknown, as he was working alone. The deputy corner [sic] reported that Newswenger was discing at the edge of a field, four or five feet above the road, when the tractor either ran or slid down the embankment, throwing the driver off and then running over his chest.

Surviving are his second wife, Bertha, 13 children and 34 grandchildren. He was a member of the Old Road Mennonite church.

Over 850 relatives and friends attended the funeral services, held at the Hershey's Mennonite church near Kinzer.