Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 119, Decatur, Adams County, 20 May 1963 — Page 1

Vol. LXI No. 119.

Three Decatur Persons Die In Auto Crashes

Young Couple Killed In Two- Auto Crash Late Sunday Night

A young Decatur couple were killed instantly in a near head-on collision of two cars late Sunday night on U.S. 27, in Allen county. Dead are Jerral Dee Blair, 18, and his wife, Beverly Lou Milholland Blair, 17, who resided in No. 67 trailer at the Hi-Way trailer court on 13th street. Receiving serious injuries were Ronna Ruth Cordill, '2O. of Warsaw, drive at the second auto involved, and John Stute, 20, of Fort Wayne, her passenger. The Blairs were traveling south on a wet and slippery U.S. 27, , when the Cordill vehicle skidded across the center line and' smashed into the right front of the Blair vehicle. The acident occurred at 10:25 p.m. The mishap occurred seven and one-half miles south of Fort Wayne, about three-quarters of a mile north of Adams county. Blair was operating the auto in which he and his wife were riding. Both died as a result of broken necks. The Warsaw young woman suffered two broken arms and internal injuries, while Stute receiv-

Rev. Gerig Remains At Decatur Church Bev. Gerald I. Gerig The Rev. Gerald I. Gerig, pastor of the Decatur Missionary church, Sunday announced his acceptance of another three-year term as minister of the local church. Rev. Gerig has been pastor of the church for the past seven years. He is presently general secretary of the Missionary church association and president of the Decatur Associated Churches. He and his wife have three children, Kurt, 10, Marcia, 8, and LuAnn, 3, During his pastorate, the Sunday school has shown a 35 per cent increase, and the morniqg worship hour, evening gospel hour, and the Wednesday night prayer meeting have more than doubled in attend, ance. The church membership has also doubled during this same period. s Commenting on his acceptance of the call issued by the congregation two weeks ago, Rev. Gerig said: “the past seven years have been outstanding years for our family. We have so much enjoyed working with the fine people of the Decautr area. We - look forward to another term of service with real joy, trusting that our _ ministry will be a blessing to the local church and a benediction to the community.” Escapes Injury In One-Car Accident Wilbur J. Miller, a Willshire, 0., resident; escaped injury in a slight mishap late Saturday night when * his auto left the road and went into the large body of water across the highway from the Youth and Community Center. Miller was traveling toward Decatur when he lost control of the car on the’ curve. The vehicle crossed the sidewalk and traveled a long distance before falling into the water. Why Miller failed to stop the auto is not knowp, 3 . r He reported the incident to the city police. The car .was only slighly damaged, with the exception of water damage.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ed multiple fractures of the ribs, lacerations to the head, and internal injuries. Listed Critical Both were listed in critical condition in the Lutheran hospital late Sunday night. State police and the Allen county sheriff's department, who investigated the accident were unable to determine the position of impact, but were almost certain the Cordill car had crossed the center line. The highway was quite slippery at the time. The acicdent is still under investigation. Mrs. Blair was reported to be about seven months preg. nan, but authorities did not list a third fatally injured. Service Wed. Double services for Mr. and Mrs. Blair will be held at the First Presbyterian church in Ossian Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. Milton Niton-oficiating. Friends may call at the Elzey funeral home in Ossian after 5 p.m. Tuesday, until noon Wednesday, when the bodies will be taken to the church to lie in state.

All-Night Party To Decatur Graduates The Decatur Lions club, Decatur sororities and cooperating individuals will again sponsor the Decatur high school senior all-night party Thursday following the dance at Decatur high school, Norman Steury, Lions club president, said today. A luncheon, at Villa Lanes, will be sponsored by the Decatur sororities—the Delts, Beta Sigma Phi, Tri Kappa, and Psi lota Xi. After the luncheon, the seniors will be invited to bowl, courtesy of Dick Mies. , Movie And Breakfast At 2 a. m. the seniors are invited to the Adams theater for a movie, courtesy of Roy L. Kilver. At 4 a. m., Lawrence Anspaugh and Herman H. Krueckeberg will be emcees for the senior breakfast, sponsored and staffed by the Decatur Lions club. Charles Kester’s band will play, and entertainment will be secured by Anspaugh. Committees Committees and members are as follows: Tables and decorations: Clark Mayclin and Clyde Butler, cochairmen; Clark Smith, Noah Steury, Russell Owens, Fritz Ellsworth, Merritt Alger and Mel Zoss. Kitchen crew: Alva Lawson and Fred Corah, co-chairmen; members Richard Linn, Roy Price, Jack Gordon, Roger Gentis, Frank Lybarger, Leo Seltenright, and Milt Spence. Waiters (to report at 3 a. m.): Thurman Drew and Bob Zwick, cochairmen; W. M. Bumgernder, Glenn Mauller, Dick Mies, Kenneth Erhart, Charles McFarren, Carroll Schroeder; Vic Porter, James Cowens, Norm Steury, Charles Stqnestreet, Ralph Smith, •Jr., and Harry Schwartz. Clean-up committee (reports at 5:30 a. m.); Bob Worthman and Harry Knapp, co-chairmen; Dick Sullivan, Russ Acker, Gordon Hooper, Ron Parrish, A. C. Underwood, Dick Ludwig, Bill McColly, Kenny Shannon, Robert Holthouse, Joe Morris, Smith Snively, and G. Remy Bierly. INDIANA WEATHER Mostly cloudy and scattered showers likely late tonight and Tuesday. Cooler Tuesday. Low tonight in the 40s. Highs Tuesday 52 to 60 north, 58 to 66 south. Sunset today 7:57 p. m. Sunrise Tuesday 5:26 a. m. Outlook for Wednesday; Showem ending early cloudy and cool. Lows in the Wednesday, becoming partly 40s. Highs in the. 56s north and central to low 60s south.

, Jerral Blair was employed one week at the International Harvester in Fort Wayne and previously by the Tocsin Grain and Lumber Co. He was born April 28, 1945, and was a member of the First Presbyterian church in Ossian and the Bluffton chapter of Demolay. He is survived by his parents, Marcus and Jeanette Smith Blair of Ossian; two brothers, Bradley J., route 10, Fort Wayne, and Stanley Eugene, at home. The maternal grandmother; Mrs. Nettie Newman of Fort Wayne, and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Smith of Fort Wayne, also survive. . J. He and his wife were married June 18, of 1962. Beverly Lou Milholland Blair was bom July 13, 1945, to Max and Mary Archbold Milholland of Ossian. Survivors include the parents; three brothers, Don William, and Richard, all of whom reside in Ossian; the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Milholland, Rockford, Ind.; and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Archbold of Ossian.

Thelma R. Kistler Dies At Fort Wayne Mrs. Thelma R. Kistler, 48, of 1137 McCulloch street, Fort Wayne, died at 4:05 a.m. Sunday at Parkview memorial hospital, where she has been a patient 10 weeks. Mrs. Kistler was a member of the Curdes Avenue Missionary church and the G. E. Elex club. She had been employed at the General Electric Co. since 1943. Surviving are a son, Jerald L. Kistler of Fort Wayne; a brother, Gerald L. Smitley of Duncan Falls, O.; two sisters, Mrs. John Stauffer of Bluffton, and Mrs. Donald Snell of Fort Wayne; a half-brother, Dale Smitley of Huntington; a half-sister, Mrs. D. E.‘ Gilbert of Monroe; three stepbrothers, Sanfard and Charles Brown of Fort Wayne, and Otis Brown of Spencerville; three stepsisters, Mrs Floyd Deßolt and Mrs. Donald Wannas of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Edgar Longardener of Spencerville; her parents, Mr. and Mrs: Owen W. Brown of Angola, and three grandchildren. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the D. O. McComb & Sons funeral home, the Rev. William Cox officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF cemetery at New Haven. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today. Additional Openings For School Program More students are wanted for enrollment in the Decatur grade schools’ summer program to aid pupils having difficiulty with the language arts and arthmetic, Robert Doan, Lincoln school teacher and head of the program, said this morning. Approximately 50 students are already enrolled in the summer program for children having problems in toe above-named categories, Doan said, but more pupils are wanted for the class. The class is now larger than expected, and one additional teacher has already been added to toe staff. Mrs. Deane T, Dorwin will be toe reading instructor. With the addition of Mrs. Dorwin, it is hoped that even more students will take advantage of the program. 2 Hours A Day Hie sessions will be held from June 3 to July 26, with each pupil attending classes far two hours each day. Classes will be held from 8 a. m. to 10 a. m., and from 10 a. m. to noon. All classes will be held at the Northwest elementary school, and the curriculum will include arithmetic and the language arts, which include spelling, English, sentence structure and reading. Tuition for the program is $25 per pupil, which covers not only the tuition cost, but book rental and miscellaneous supplies. The (Continued on Page Six)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, May 20, 1963.

jrZfy v LI * bAI b i i j I sK--* - i '■■'"'Jir K DISTRICT MEETING HERE—Rotarians are planning a district assembly meeting to be held in Decatur Thursday. The meeting will feature a training program for more than 100 Rotarians from this district, who will become officers of their respective clubs July 1. Pictured are: seated, left to righU-Clarence Ziner, Decatur, general chairman, and Joseph Roe, of Columbia City, district governor; standing, left to right—W. Lowell Harper, George Auer and Gene Ziner, all of the Decatur club. The weekly meet- ' ing of the local club will be held at 12 noon Thursday at the Youth and Community Center, instead of the usual evening meeting.

Cooper Is Greeted At Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERA (UPD—Astronaut • Gorton Cooper undergoes further medical tests and additional debriefing today before leaving for Washington Tuesday -where he will receive toe Distm-' guished Service Medal for his historic 22.9 orbit flight around earth. The slightly built Air Force major was relaxed and smiling during Sunday’s tumultuous tribute to his 575,000 mile space voyage. Wednesday, Cooper will be honored with a tickertape parade in New York. Plans called for him to ride in a convertible up tower Broadway through toe financial district to city hall where he will be given a reception. Sunday, Cooper described his breathtaking flight—probably the last manned space voyage by toe United States for 18 months—as firm proof man can sleep, eat and live for tong periods in space. Ije told of seeing vivid geographic details, sleeping soundly, eating on schedule although he was not too hungry and performing numerous experiments assigned to him. “Really No Problem” Cooper described his blazing “fireball” re-entry under manual control, an emergency step that was necessary after the automatic system failed in’ the 20to orbit and caused anxious concern around the world. “There was really no problem,” he said. There had been speculation that still another one-man space flight in toe Project Mercury series might be held later this year but a top official of toe federal space agency said it seemed “quite unlikely.” The statement by Dr. Robert C. Seamans, associate director of NASA, apparently meant the next U.S. manned space flight will not come until October, 1964, at the earliest. Seamans said a definite decision on whether there would be another Mercury flight, “must be made within the next week or so.” He described the Cooper flight as “apparently .. . most successful” and that “it seems quite unlikely there will be another Mercury mission.” If there are not more Mercury flights, next comes Project Gemini—a program to put up two-man teams of astronauts into orbit for periods of up to two weeks “ong Way to Go” The first manned Gemini flight is due sometime during the last three months of 1964. "Although we still have a tong way to go in toe exploration of space,” Seamans said, “I doubt that we can find an astronaut who can improve on the performance of Gdfdon Cooper.” Cooper was asked what he thought the flight proved about man’s role in space. “I think we proved man is a pretty good backup system to all these automatic systems,” he replied. To other questions, Cooper said: “The horizon was always clear, both day and night” from his cap-

sule. —“Flashing satellites” which he , dropped from behind his capsule . as a visual aid check “would be tJt good decide to help on toe. nightside for a rendezvous in space between two orbiting capsules. He last saw. the lights at a distance of about 17 or 18 miles from, his position. —An “exercise device” in his Faith 7 took “almost as much exercise to get at it as to use it.” Has Tremendous View He said he first noticed the tremendous view as Faith 7 flashed over the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East. “I could see roads and rivers and trucks on the roads. I saw a train with smoke coming out of it. “I even saw a boat going down the river, and the wake behind it. But I couldn’t see individual people.” He said he could see Dallas, Tex., and the area of toe federal space agency headquarters in Houston. “But I couldn’t see my own house,” he laughed. “They put up too many trees around it.” He said Red China “looked just like it looks on the map. I couldn’t see anything but just a lot of country. Part of China was covered by broken clouds.” He said the., “really beautiful view” however, was during three swings he made right over the snow-capped Himalaya Mountains between India and ChinaRobert Bumgerdner Dies Unexpectedly Funeral services for Robert L. Bumgerdner, 45, son of Mr. and Mrs. Weldon "E. Bumgerdner, of Decatur, will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday at the Cha if ant-Perry Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Bumgerdner, in apparently good health, died suddenly at his home Sunday morning. He had gone downstairs for a cup of coffee. and came upstairs to ask his wife to call the doctor at once, as he had a pain in his right arm. She went down to call, and when she returned, he had already died. A native of Churubusco, Bumgerdner was born May 9, 1918. He was a graduate of Decatur high school. He had been a grain merchandiser for Central Soya Co. in Fort Wayne four years, and had been with the company 23 years. He belonged to the Simpson Methodist church and was a veteran of World War 11. Surviving are his wife, Maxine: a daughter, Susan’; his parents, and a sister, Mrs. Charles Stonestreet, Decatur. Friends may -call at the ChalfantPerry funeral home after 2 p. m. today. Dr. Evan H. Bergwell will officiate at the services Tuesday, and burial will be in the Decatur cemetery,.

Baccalaureate Rites Held Sunday Night “You have finished the first and perhaps most important task assigned to you thus far,” “Rev. William C. Feller told the 1963 graduating class of Decatur high school in baccalaureate services Sunday evening in the school auditorium. _ _ “I challenge you to keep faith in God, in Christ, in yourself and in your fellow man,” Rev. Feller said to the seniors in the baccalaureate message. The minister of the Zion United Church of Christ, Rev. Feller delivered the address entitled “Youth Meets the Challenge,” at the Sunday services. The annual services opened with Grieg’s “Triumphal March,” as the processional, and closed' with the seniors leaving the auditorium to the recessional, “Majestic March,” by Peery. Rev. Sylvester Martin, pastor of the Nuttman Ave. United Brethren church, gave the invocation, and the benediction was also given by Rev. Martin. The scripture reading was given by Rev. Fuhrman Miller, minister of the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church, and the prayer was given by Rev. Wilmer R. Watson, pastor of the Church of the NazareneThe Decatur high school choir, attired in the school's new choir robes, sang two selections, “Sing Praises to Our God,” a Welsh hymn, and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” by Lutknn. The music selections were under the direction of Miss Helen Haubold, supervisor of music. Those in attendance joined in the singing of two hymns, “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus,” and “Lead On, O King Eternal.” * In his message. Rev. Feller compared responsibilities of today with those of Goliath, his army, and of David, in the time of their well-known battle. “It is easy for us to sit in the grandstand and watch the game of life,” he said, “but I believe youth will meet the challenge of today?’ "Youth will accept the challenge of the difficult,” he added. Rev. Feller explained the response of David to the battle with Goliath, and asked the seniors how they would respond to life’s challenge. “Will you respond like David,” he questioned them. “Handicaps are challenges,” he stated, “thank God for your talents and don’t waste them. Stolen Automobile Is Recovered Here The local city police recovered a stolen car-today only one hour after the vehicle was reported stolen. Richard Mansfield, Sr., reported at 9:07 a.m. today that a 1959 model auto from his used car lot at the corner of Monroe and Eighth streets was stolen sometime Sunday. The vehicle was recovered on W. Patterson street at 10:10 a.m. by the police, who are still investigating.

Soldier Home On Leave Is Killed Sunday

Waldo Lee Snyder, 21-year-old Decatur soldier home on leave, was killed instantly Sunday afternoon in a one-car crash on U. S. 224, becoming Adams county’s first traffic fatality of 1963. Snyder died instantly from a crushed chest as a result of being thrown from an auto operated by Elvin Adkins, 21. of 401 W. Adams St., who suffered only bruises and abrasions. The local young man is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Snyder, 1304 Master Drive, <and had been stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., since last September. He had traveled home Tuesday on leave to attend the wedding of his aunt Saturday night and his sister’s graduation Thursday evening. Both Snyder and Adkins were thrown from the 1957 model car owned by Adkins, as the vehicle went out of control on U. S. 224, five miles east of Decatur. Died Instantly Snyder was killed instantly as he was thrown from the auto. It is believed he struck a flagpole on the Hank Swygart property, causing the crushed chest. Snyder was a 1960 graduate of Decatur high school, where he was a member of the football and track teams. He entered the U. S. Army following his graduation, and served 16 months in Korea. The first fatal accident of the year in Adams county occurred at 5:09 p. m., as Adkins was traveling west on 224, with Snyder a passenger. Adkins was passing an-

383 Boys Signed By Wildcat League

A total of 383 boys, 8% to 15 years of age, have signed up to play Wildcat League ball this summer, 83 more than anticipated, George Waning, league director, said today. Every boy will get to play in every game, and enough teams will be set up to take care of those who have signed up, Waning explained. May Sign June 10 In addition, any boy who did not get to sign up Saturday may do so by going to one of the fields during the first week of play, June 10, and later. Any of the directors will be glad to sign up the new members. Also, more than 90% were fitted for caps and T-shirts, a very good sign that they are serious about playing. No boys are allowed to play or practice unless they are “in uniform ” A total of 230 signed up for the Kitty League, the younger group; 87 for the Cat league, and 66 for the Tiger league. This assures at least four to six teams in each league. Meet This Week The directors will meet with the Wildcat board toward the end of the week to determine the method of selecting high school assistants. Applications for these positions are now available at the Decatur Daily Democrat counter. Why Paid Workers With more than 400 expected to take part in the summer league, the Wildcat group with be hand-, ling about three times as many boy’s as the Little and Pony Leagues, -with one full-time, and three part-time employes, plus high school helpers. Ihese workers will be putting in a full 40-hour week, or 20-hour week, plus night meetings and bookwork, besides organizing and training the boys so that they can' advance to Little and Pony League play. Volunteer workers for a full 40hour week during the daytime could not be found, and volunteers would have cut into the group already helping with the established

I (We) wish to be a co-sponsor of the Decatur Wildcat League to provide training in citizenship and baseball for boys who do not make the other teams. I (We) hereby subscribe and enclose $ to this worthwhile project. Signature '

SEVEN CENTS

other auto when his car went out of control and traveled more than 200 feet before striking the front step of the sidewalk of Ihe Swygart home. The underside of the car, under the right door, caught the sidewalk. and caused the vehicle to flip over on its top and slide 81 feet in that position. SUU Investigating According to the investigating officers, the fatal crash is still under investigation. The accident occurred on dry pavement, just a short time before an afternoon shower fell. Adkins suffered only minor injuries but is being held in the Adams county memorial hospital today. His automobile was a total toss. Sheriff Roger Singleton, deputy sheriff Harold August and state trooper Dan Kwasneski investigated the fatal crash. Services Wednesday Funeral services for Snyder will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday at the Zwick funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Crabtree officiating. Friends may call at the funeral heme after 7 o’clock this evening. Surviving the young soldier are the parents, Wilson and Ftorine Bollinger Snyder; one sister, Evelyn Dale Snyder; one brother, James Arlie Snyder; the maternal grandmother, Mrs. lona Snyder of Fort Wayne; and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arlie G. Bollinger, 928 Dierkes St. Snyder was born October 2, 1941; and attended the Assembly of God church in Decatur.

leagues. Also, more night games, for 400 boys, were out of the question because of lighting the extra fields that would be necessary. The Wildcat league will operate during the daytime, when the children are frequently unsupervised while parents work; they will be free in toe evenings for church and scout meetings, as well as for family fun. Please Pledge Anyone desiring to pledge an amount, or make a contribution, is asked to do so immediately, Braun stressed this morning. The following form should be filled out and submitted with a check, to Decatur Wildcat League, Box 4, Decatur, Indiana. Please enclose check and mail to Decatur Wildcat League, Box 4, Decatur, Indiana, Braun added. Former Decatur Lady Is Taken By Death Mrs. Willo Belle Throne, 73, a former resident of Decatur, died Sunday in the Williams county hospital at Montpelier, O. The family resided in this city for seven years before moving to Defiance, 0., and Montpelier. Surviving are her husband, Clinton; two daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Guyse and Mrs. Audry Fullford, both Os Montepelier, O.: two stepsons, Lynn W. Throne of Defiance, 0., and Gerald L. Throne of Weberville, Mich.; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Margaret Nass and Mrs. Joyce Herr, both of Defiance; 11 grandchildren and five great-grand-children. Funeral rites will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at toe WilsonGessey funeral home, Montpelier, the Rev. Lester B. Woosley, pastor of the St. Paul’s Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside' cemetery at Montpelier.