Wagler, Ivan (1937-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Nov 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1937

text of obituary:

INDIANA YOUTH KILLED

Forage Cutter and Picker Prove Dangerous in Corn Harvest

Corn harvesting machines, apparently the most dangerous in the array of modern farm equipment, are adding to their toll of dead and injured week by week — and Mennonite farmers are not exempted.

Near Montgomery, Ind. 24-year-old Ivan Wagler attempted to free corn stalks in a running forage harvester when his arm caught in the rollers and was chopped off half way to the elbow. The sudden jerk is believed to have broken his neck, causing almost instant death.

Funeral services were held Oct. 23 at the Amish Mennonite Church. He was the oldest son of Henry and Rachel Wagler.

While driving a corn picker in from the field near Delft, Minn., John Klaassen reached for some lodged husks and moving parts severed the third and little fingers of the right hand. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Klaassen.

An Amish lad, five-year-old Daniel Schwartz of Fairbank, Iowa, was critically injured when he fell from a wagon of cobs. He landed on his head and the wagon passed over his body. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Menno Schwartz, Jr.

Picking of a heavy corn crop continues throughout the corn belt and into Pennsylvania. A good crop is reported in eastern Pennsylvania, while at Belleville in the central region yields are said to be the heaviest in some years. Farmers there cannot find enough storage for the big crop.