Witmer, Eli Jay (1943-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jun 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1943

text of obituary:

Traffic Accidents Claim Three Lives In Indiana; Ohio Lad Dies in Silo

Goshen, Ind. — Double funeral services were conducted at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home Saturday for two little children who were instantly killed in a headon collision near here June 13.

The victims were Daryl Arlen Bontrager, two-year-old son of Wilbur and Rosalie Bontrager of rural Goshen, and his six-month old cousin, Colleen Sue Hooley, daughter of Larry and Marilyn Hooley of Elkhart. The mothers are sisters, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Yoder of Route 1, New Paris.

Seriously injured in the crash were Mrs. Rosalie Bontrager, 22, and her sister Wanita Yoder, 17, both of whom suffered fractures and possible internal injuries. The Bontrager's 11-month-old daughter, DiAnn Rose, escaped serous injury.

Mrs. Bontrager, her sister and the three children were occupants of the car with Mrs. Bontrager as driver when it collided with one driven by Jacob Rheinheimer, 42, of Lagrange on a winding narrow road northeast of Goshen. Rheinheimer also was hospitalized.

Pinned Under Car

New Haven, Ind. — Twenty-year-old Eli Jay Witmer, son of Menno and Lydia Witmer, was killed and seven other young people escaped serious injury in a one-car accident northwest of Grabill on June 2.

It was reported that all eight occupants of the auto were thrown out as the car overturned, and the Witmer youth was pinned underneath.

Fumes Prove Fatal

Sugarcreek, Ohio. — Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite Church here June 14 for Richard Hostetler, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hostetler of Newcomerstown who died in a silo accident Tuesday, June11.

The youth had gone to the top of the silo to check some doors. When he failed to return an older brother, William, went to investigate and found the body. It is believed he was a victim of fumes from the grass silage stored in th silo.

Surviving are the parents and brother and also a sister, Susan. Richard was a member of the Sugarcreek First church.