Ralph Jesse Kissinger 1928-1955

KISSINGER, BRADY, MOORE, SCHULTZ, ERNST

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/7/2011 at 23:37:47

Superior Man Found Dead of Gunshot
Ralph Kissinger, 26, of Superior was found dead of a shotgun wound early this morning. His body was found by his mother, Mrs. J.J. Kissinger, about 5:30 a.m. lying by a granary about 60 feet from the house. The Kissinger farm is one mile east and five miles south of Superior.

A 12 gauge shotgun had apparently been propped up against the granary and then a stick used to discharge it, according to Dickinson county coroner, Dr. K.L. Clayton. Dr. Clayton said death occurred sometime between 11 and 12 p.m. last night. Kissinger’s parents said that he had gone to bed at 10:30.

According to the Dickinson county sheriff’s office, the shotgun wounds appeared to have been self-inflicted but that further investigation into the death is being conducted. According to the Daily News Lakes Region correspondent, Dr. Clayton said the family knew of no reason for such action. There was no note left. He had been discharged from the army in April after two years’ service.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Kissinger, and three sisters, Mrs. Roy (Evelyn) Brady and Mrs. Fay (Gladys) Moore of Estherville and Mrs. William (Arvilla) Schultz of San Diego, Calif. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 7, 1955)

Last Rites for Ralph Kissinger Held Tuesday
Ralph Jesse Kissinger was born on Nov. 24, 1928 at Milford, Nebr., and passed away July 6, 1955 of accidental gunshot wounds, having been found by his mother, early Thursday morning.

He lived near Milford, Nebr., until the age of four when he moved with his parents to a farm three miles north of Gruver, then to a farm two miles east of Gruver, and later to five miles south of Superior, where he resided with his parents.

He received his education in the Superior community and graduate with the class of 1947.

He farmed with his father until he entered the service on April 6, 1953, during which time he was stationed at Camp Polk, La., and Fort Riley, Kans., having been discharged from the army April 1, 1955.

He was an active member of the Terril Methodist church, which he joined at an early age.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jess J. Kissinger; three sisters Mrs. Roy (Evelyn) Brady and Mrs. Fay (Arvilla) Moore of Estherville; Mrs. William (Gladys) Schultz of California; his maternal grandmother Sarah Ernst; three nieces and one who preceded him in death (Wanda Jane Schultz) five nephews, and several aunts and uncles.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 12 at the Sternborg Funeral Home at 2:00 o’clock and at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church with the Rev. F.C. Pruel of Terril officiating. Burail was in the East Side cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 13, 1955)