OREN, Merlin J., Dr. 1890-1932

OREN, WELTON, THOMPSON, GILMORE MYERS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 11/19/2012 at 01:26:42

[Progress Review, Thursday, December 1, 1932, La Porte City, Iowa]

DR. MERLIN OREN
VICTIM OF GAS

DEATH RESULTED FROM MONOXIDE
GAS POISONING MONDAY AFTERNOON

News of the tragic death of Dr. Merlin J. Oren of Lewistown, Illinois was received here Monday evening by his father, Dr. S. A. Oren, who was here visiting in the home of the latter's sister, Mrs. Emma Myers. A brother, Arthur Oren, had accompanied their father here and they expected to remain several days to attend to business. Dr. Oren and son left Monday evening about eight o'clock to drive back to Lewiston. Tuesday morning, Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Georgia Hoyt, Mrs. Lloyd J. Lamb and Jimmy . . ., left in the Lamb car to go to the grief stricken relatives.

The deceased was well known here, attended high school in this place, and he and his wife, who is a niece of Mrs. Georgia Hoyt, always spent several weeks in the Hoyt home at least once a year. They were here this fall and left November 16th for their home in Lewistown. For a long time Dr. Oren has not had good health but on his last visit here seemed much improved.

The way in which Dr. Oren met his untimely death is told in the following clipping from a Lewistown paper:

"Dr. Merlin J. Oren died Monday afternoon, apparently his death resulting from carbon monoxide gas poisoning. His body was discovered about 2:10 o'clock in his garage east of the city hall by Mrs. Oren. The garage door was closed and on entering the building Mrs. Oren found the motor of the auto running and her husband seated in the auto behind the wheel. It is believed he had been in the building an hour before the discovery being made by the wife.

Mrs. Oren pulled her husband from the auto and called for aid and Raymond Plato and others came to her aid, the body being carried outside the building where efforts were made to revive him. Dean Reynolds and Mr. Plato and three members of a crew of workmen of the Central Illinois Public Service Company worked over the unconscious man. In the meantime word was sent to Canton and members of the fire company and E. E. Messinger soon arrived with a pulmotor. The body was removed to the office of the city clerk and every effort was made to revive the unconscious man. It is believed that Dr. Oren was dead when the body was discovered.

Dr. M. A. Quinones and R. T. Evan were called but nothing could be done by them. The pulmotor was used until about six o'clock in the evening when it became apparent that nothing could be done and the body was removed to the Oren home and it was the intention that Dr. C. Lester Lambert, county coroner, would conduct an inquest this afternoon or evening to determine the cause of death.

Dr. Oren was well known throughout the county, having for some time practiced dentistry in this city. He stood high in his profession and was well liked by everybody in the community. Just a few days ago Dr. and Mrs. Oren returned home from La Porte City where they had been for a short time.

Dr. Merlin J. Oren was born November 16, 1890, at Mt. Auburn, Iowa, being a son of Dr. Samuel A. and Kate E. Welton Oren, both living. He had lived in Illinois since 1900, was a graduate of the Lewiston High School, attended the Tennessee Military school, the University of Iowa and graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. He was a member of the Masonic and Tri-State lodges, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity and was a member of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church.

On March 22, 1915, he was united in marriage with Georgia M. Thompson.

He is survived by the wife, parents, one brother, Arthur Oren of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. George Gilmore of Colorado and Miss Lilla Oren of this city. A brother, Dr. S. L. Oren, is deceased.

The funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at The Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. W. R. Shull. Burial will be in La Porte City, Iowa."

It is expected the funeral party will arrive late this evening. A prayer service will be conducted in the home of Mrs. Hoyt, tomorrow morning at ten o'clock by Rev. C. D. James, pastor of the M. E. Church. The casket attendants will be H. G. Esher, John Betts, H. D. Kline, N. H. Blanchaine, Albert Miller and Jimmy Kelley. The body will be laid to rest on the Hoyt lot is West View Cemetery.