Wilko Drenth d. 1933 @ age 71

DRENTH, SCHROEDER, POWERS

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse <dagosse@msn.com>
Date: 6/6/2009 at 14:19:38

A SUICIDE BY USING
.38 CALIBER RIFLE

Fires Shot into Chest at Home
of Son-in-Law in Leroy
Township Friday

Wilko Drenth, 71, who has made his
home with his son-in-law, Everett
Schroeder in Leroy township for the
past four years, committed suicide
Friday afternoon by discharging a .38
caliber rifle bullet through his chest.
First intimation that he had taken
is own life was gained about 3:15
when Everett Schroeder Jr., who was
returning home from a field, noticed
smoke coming from one of the up-
stairs windows. He rushed upstairs
and found the body of his grandfather
slumped on the floor and clothing surrounding
the wound smoldering from
being ignited from the shot, which
apparently fired at close range.
Coroner F. C. Koch of Waverly was
called, but considered there was no
need for an inquest, the circumstances
being clearly that of suicide.
The aged man came in for some
notoriety about two years ago when
his name was connected with that of
Harry Powers of West Virginia, who
was accused of numerous killings of
wives whose bodies Powers is said to
have buried under the floor of his
garage. It was quite definitely established
at the time that Powers was
Mr. Drenth's son who he had not seen
for a number of years after running
way from home.
While Mr. Drenth is said to have
brooded somewhat over the waywardness
of his son, relatives do not believe
that this had any connection with
his suicide. He had been enjoying good
health and had experienced no financial
difficulties. He and his son-in-law
had been planing a trip to Michigan
for several days with the expectation
of leaving Saturday.
Drenth had been a widower for five
years, living in the vicinity of Oran
until he moved to the Schroeder home
about four years ago. Surviving are
his son-in-law, two grandchildren,
Wilko and Everett Schroeder, and a
granddaughter, Jenny Schroeder. His
daughter, Mrs. Everett Schroeder preceded
her father in death.
Funeral services were held Monday
afternoon from the Schroeder home,
with Rev. A. W. Gable of Frederika
officiating. Interment was made in
Mentor cemetery.

Sumner Gazette - 12 Oct 1933

PINHOOK—The Wilko Drenth funeral
which was held Monday at the
home of his son-in-law, Evert Schroeder
Sr. was quite largely attended.
Rev. Gable of Frederika officiated at
the services at the house and at the
grave in Mentor cemetery. Casket
bearers were Louie Zell, Roy Waternan,
Martin Schwan, John Marsh,
Watson Lewis and Leslie Fay.

Sumner Gazette - 12 Oct 1933

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