Pankratz, Willard (1908-1935)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Jan 9 p. 1

Birth date: 1908

Falling Tree Causes Death of Willard Pankratz at Burrton.

Willard Panratz, son of Rev. and Mrs. P. G. Pankratz of Burrton, died at two o'clock last Saturday morning at the Halstead hospital from injuries received on the previous day when he was struck by a falling tee. The fatal accident occurred at about two o'clock Friday afternoon, and the injured young man passed away approximately 12 hours later without having regained consciousness.

Willard and his father had driven out into the field with their car and were cutting down trees when in some way the large tree, or part of the tree, which they were cutting down with a cross-cut saw broke unexpectedly. Both quickly moved to the side and the father escaped unharmed, while the son received a violent blow on his head, causing immediate unconsciousness. The father, unable to drive the car, hurried to a neighbor, leaving his son prostrate at the scene of the accident. After he returned with help, the son was immediately rushed to the Halstead hospital, where death followed in spite of all efforts to save the young man's life.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, the first service being at the home at one o'clock. Although the deceased had been a member of the Goessel Mennonite church since his baptism there a number of years ago, the main service was held at the Burrton Mennonite church. Rev. P. P. Buller, pastor of the Goessel church preached the English sermon, while Rev. H. P. Krehbiel spoke words of consolation in the German language. A similar service was held simultaneously at the Goessel church, large audiences of sympathizing friends having gathered at both places. After the service at Burrton the funeral concourse proceeded to Goessel, where the body was taken into the church to be viewed by friends and relatives who had gathered there. Interment was made in the Goessel cemetery.

After the funeral relatives were invited for a meal the the Pankratz home. Willard was a brother of Helen Pankratz of the Herald office group.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Jan 16 p. 2