Edwin Glen Michael 1915-1952

MICHAEL, PHILPOTT, ZITTERICH, THORNBURG, KLEEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/6/2012 at 23:14:50

Former Local Man Takes His Own Life
Edwin Michael, 37, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound about 11:30 p.m. yesterday on his farm home three miles south of Ruthven.

Mr. Michael, his wife and two daughters, Maxine and Eileen, had retired about 9 p.m. Mr. Michael arose about 11 p.m., took a 12-guage shotgun outside on the north side of the house and shot himself in the chest. Deputy Sheriff Jim Besinius of Emmetsburg said today. Bessinius said that there was no apparent motive for suicide.

Born and raised on a farm south of here, Mr. Michael is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Michael of Estherville. He has been farming near Ruthven for the past three years.

Surviving his death are his wife, two daughters, parents, two sisters, Mrs. Tom Thornburg and Mrs. Edgar Kleen, both of Estherville; an uncle, Glen Michael of Estherville and two aunts, Mrs. Homer Clure of Rhinelander, Wis. and Mrs. W. H. Wier of Aitkin, Minn.

Funeral services will be Friday 1:15 p.m. at a Ruthven funeral home and at 2 p.m. at the Ruthven Methodist church. Burial will be in Oakhill cemetery here. [Per cemetery records, East Side] (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 9, 1952)

Michael Rites Tomorrow
Funeral services for Edwin Michael, 37-year-old Ruthven farmer who died of a gunshot wound Tuesday, will be held at 1:15 p.m. tomorrow at a Ruthven funeral home and at 2 p.m. a the Ruthven Methodist church. Burial will be in Eastside cemetery here. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 10, 1952)

Edwin Michael Died at Age of 37 Years
Edwin Glen Michael was born April 28, 1915, in Estherville township, the son of Harry Edward Michael and Christina Zitterich Michael. He died July 8 at the age of 37 years, two months and 11 days.

He was reared on the farm where he was born and attended the Estherville public school. On Oct. 27, 1934, he was united in marriage with Rita Philpott. Two daughters, Maxine, 17, and Eileen, 15, were born to this union. They farmed near Estherville until January, 1945, when they moved to their present home in Silver Lake township at Ruthven.

Surviving his death are his widow, Rita; two daughters; his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Tom Thornburg and Mrs. Edgar Kleen of Estherville, and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 15, 1952)

Helping out with windrowing oats at the Harry Michael farm after the death of his son, Edwin, July 8 are neighboring farmers. Not yet finished with their own windrowing, the neighbors turned out to help the Michaels in an hour of need. Work on the 30-acre field was completed yesterday afternoon beginning at 1:30 pm.

Lunch in the field was served about 4 p.m. by the women. More help is expected Friday when 20 to 25 farmers will bring six or seven combines to combine the oats. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 23, 1952)