Julia Wade 1917-1963

WADE, SCORPIL, WHITMER, FORD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/26/2019 at 09:22:56

March 14, 1963 - The Tipton Conservative

Mrs. Julia Libby Wade, 56, Iowa City, former Cedar county resident, died almost instantly when the car she was driving plunged off Old Highway 1 March 11 after striking the southwest corner of the Cedar River bridge at Rochester. Death was due to head injuries.

Mrs. Wade, who was driving to Tipton where she had an income tax appointment with an attorney, apparently went to sleep, investigating officers said. Tire marks showed that her car went off the highway onto the south shoulder of the highway about 125 feet from the bridge.

The tire marks showed that the car moved gradually onto the shoulder, with some indication that she tried to pull the car back on the highway just before the left front of the car struck the bridge.

The car apparently turned as it went off the embankment and landed on its right side, bouncing back on its wheels and came to rest facing west.

Mrs. Wade remained in the front seat of the car. Her death was caused by injuries sustained when she was thrown about the inside of the car. The 1950 model car was extensively damaged.

The wreckage of the car was found by Alva Coiner and Merlyn Gronewald, both of Rochester. They were working in Coiner's garage, which is several hundred yards from the scene when they heard a loud noise. This was shortly after 2 p.m. When they went outside they saw nothing to indicate an accident. Later they went to the highway and found the tracks of the car going off the highway and discovered the car and Mrs. Wade.

The pavement was wet, but not slippery, Highway Patrolman Ralph Akers said.

An autopsy was performed Monday night. It was found that the cause of death was massive head injuries. She also suffered face and chest injuries.

Funeral services for Mrs. Wade will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Sheets and Dahn funeral home with the Rev. A. C. Long in charge. Burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery.

The daughter of Edward and Mollie Pisney Scorpil, she was born in Solon Dec. 33, 1917 and lived most of her life in the south Cedar county area. She attended school at Rochester. At the time of her death she was employed by the housekeeping department of University hospitals at Iowa City.

She is survived by 4 daughters, Mrs. Beverly Palmer, Solon; Mrs. Karen Williams, Preswick, Scotland; Sharon, 13, Connie Joan, 10, at home and a son, Curtis Paul, 3, also at home; her mother, Mrs. Mollie Scorpil, Tipton, a brother, Joseph, Tipton and 2 sisters, Mrs. Betty Whitmer, Brookville, Fla. and Mrs. Josephine Ford, Tipton. Her father and a brother preceded her in death.