MANGRICH, John 1888-1937

MANGRICH, GIRSCH, NEMMERS

Posted By: Theresa (email)
Date: 5/10/2002 at 20:45:05

Citizen's Herald 14 Oct. 1937

GILBERTVILLE FARMER KILLED IN FRONT OF HOME
John Mangrich, 48, was instantly killed when he was struck by an automobile driven by his neighbor, J. J. Hemmer, at 7:15 Tuesday evening.
The farm is one mile north of Gilbertville and the buildings are on both sides of a crushed rock road which has quite heavy traffic. Also, there is a hill just at this point, making it hard for a driver to see very far ahead. The incline throws the car lights upward until the crest of the hill is reached.
Mr. Mangrich was crossing the road, hastening to get ready to attend a mission service, one of its purposes of which was to stress the unexpectedness of death. Mr. Hemmer and his children were also on their way to the service.
With Mr. Hemmer were his son, Gilbert, 12, and daughter Evelyn, 16. The daughter informed Mrs. Mangrich of her husband's death.
It is believed that Mr. Mangrich may have stepped into the shadow of the mail box, thus making it impossible for the driver to see him, though there is a large overhead light on the corner of the barn.
The Black Hawk County sheriff's office investigated the case, and the coroner declares death was instantaneous. Though the driver made a futile attempt to swerve and avoid hitting Mr. Mangrich, it was too late and he was thrown into the air, his head crashing thru the windshield. Glass shattered into the lap of Evelyn Hemmer. He also received a fractured skull and both arms were broken.
John Mangrich was born November 26, 1888 on a farm near Gilbertville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Mangrich. He married Miss Leona Girsch 23 years ago. She, with four sons, Anthony, 22, Vincent, 18, Paul, 15, and James, 6; four daughters, Mrs. Alfred Soppe, Jeannette, 13, Helena, 11, Anna Marie, 8; his mother; sisters, Mrs. John Frost, Mrs. Valentine Schmitz, Mrs. John Schares, Sister Theda, Chicago, Sister Henrietta, St. Paul, and Sister Margaret, in Indiana, survive.
He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Mary's church, Gilbertville, where the funeral will be held Friday morning.