Leppke, J. W. (d. 1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 2 p. 1

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Oklahoma Community Saddened by Accident There On July 27 [sic 21]

INJURIES RECEIVED IN GAS EXPLOSION FATAL TO FARMER AT CORN

Corn, Okla. — Funeral services were held at the Mennonite Brethren church here Friday, July 27, for J. W. Leppke, well known local farmer who died in a Clinton hospital as result of injuries received in a butane gas explosion in the basement of his home. Rev. J. W. Warkentin, local pastor, was in charge of the services.

The tragedy happened Saturday morning, July 21, when Mr. Leppke struck a match while investigating a gas leak which presumably had existed for several days. The violence of the explosion blew out the basement stairway and inflicted severe injuries upon Mr. Leppke, from which he died at about 6:00 o'clock on the evening of the folloWing day.

Mrs. Leppke was doing some work on the stairwaY at the time of the accident and also suffered painful burns on her face and arms.

Mr. Leppke was rushed for first aid to Dr. F. Schlichting, who immediately ordered him to the Clinton hospital. All possible medical care there, however, proved of no avail.