Slabaugh, Simon J. (1908-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Nov 10 p. 1

Birth date: 1908

text of obituary:

Amish Father, Three Sons Die in Indiana Farm Fire

MOTHER AND THREE OTHER CHILDREN ESCAPE AS LARGE FARMHOUSE IS LEVELED BY FLAMES

Goshen, Ind. — Tragedy struck the Amish community at Nappanee the night of Nov. 2 when Simon J. Slabaugh, 47, and three of his sons perished in the flames of their large farmhouse. Mr. Slabaugh gave his life in a vain attempt to reach his sons, sleeping in the burning building.

Funeral services for the four victims were held Monday, Nov. 7, at the Dan I. Hochstetler home west of Nappanee. Bishop John L. Schwartz and Minister Eli Mast of the Old Order Amish church officiated.

The fire is believed to have started from a wood-burning stove on the first floor of the nine-room frame house some time after the family retired for the night. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Slabaugh, who called to the children upstairs. Three of them escaped with difficulty through the dense smoke, but not until the family had gathered outside was it discovered that three sons were missing.

Enveloped by Flames

Mr. Slabaugh re-entered the house, and the entire building suddenly burst into flames. Efforts of Mrs. Slabaugh and a son and daughter to get a ladder to the upstairs were in vain.

The sons who lost their lives were Glenn, age 10, Simon Jr. 9, and Larry, 5.

A nearby house occupied by Mrs. Henry Hochstetler, grandmother of the children, and Esther Slabaugh, 12, was saved by the wind direction, rain and snow.

Surviving are Mrs. Slabaugh and 10 children, of whom only six were in the house when the flames broke out. The surviving children are Omer of Plain City, Ohio, Mrs. Levi Hochstetler of Nappanee, and Verna, Martha, Barbara, John, Edward, Esther, Howard and Sue Ellen, all of the home.