Clyde T. Wilder 1885-1941

WILDER, MEYERS, IGOU, LERDAHL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/9/2011 at 13:46:11

Clyde Wilder Dies of Heart Attack Last Eve
Fell Under Wheel of Truck
Was Working at His Oil Station on S. Ninth St. When Accident Happened – Funeral Thursday
One of the most tragic happenings ever occurring in this city took place Monday afternoon about 4:30 when Clyde Wilder suffered a heart attack and fell under the rear wheels of a gravel truck at his oil station on South Ninth Street near the underpass on Highway 17.

Mr. Wilder had taken a bottle of pop out to Carl Higgins who was driving one of the Emmet county gravel trucks. As Higgins started the truck, Mr. Wilder stepped away from the truck and seemed to faint away, falling under the rear wheels of the truck. Sensing that he had struck something Higgins stopped the truck at once but the rear wheel had passed completely over Mr. Wilder’s head, mashing it beyond recognition. County coroner O. H. Miller was called at the autopsy held later stated that Wilder had suffered a heart attack as he fell and was dead before he reached the pavement. Higgins was exonerated from any blame in connection with the accident.

Clyde T. Wilder, the son of Andy and Sarah Wilder, was born in Gundy county, Iowa, June 15, 1885. At the age of three his parents moved with their family to Emmet county where they have since resided.

On January 12, 1918, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Myers of Estherville. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilder, a daughter, who passed away in infancy, twenty years ago, and a son, Clifford who is a member of this year’s graduating class of the Estherville high school.

Prior to his marriage Mr. Wilder followed the occupation of a tiler. Later he served as a painter for the M. & St. L. railroad for several years. After leaving that company he worked in the same capacity for the Rock Island and the last few years has been engaged in the oil station business. He managed the Cities Service station on Central avenue near the Des Moines river and a year ago purchased the D-X station where he was located at the time of his death.

Mr. Wilder was a most congenial person with a cheerful and pleasant disposition that made him friends wherever he went. He was a loyal employee and worked hard for the benefit of those by whom he was employed. He enjoyed his home and his community and took an active interest in the development of projects for the betterment of both.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist church with the Rev. F. W. Ortmeyer officiating. Burial will be at the Oak Hill cemetery. The casket will not be opened at the services.

Besides his widow and son Mr. Wilder is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Sarah Wilder, who is 86 years old, two sisters, Mrs. Ed Igou, of Estherville, and Mrs. H. T. Lerdahl, of Ames, and one brother, Clarence Wilder of Estherville. His father passed away on January 19, 1927. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 27, 1941)

Death Was Accidental
After a thorough investigation the county coroner, O. H. Miller, has declared that Clyde Wilder met his death by accident last Monday [June 26, 1941] afternoon.

The unusual circumstances surrounding his death made it difficult to determine the exact cause of the death at once. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 3, 1941)