Feaker, Arnold Jr (1945-1955)

FEAKER, ECKELBERGER, ECHELBERGER, FINNE, FINNEY

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Stratford Courier
May 5, 1955

Junior Feaker, 9, Dies in Des Moines River Drowning

Junior Feaker, nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Feaker of Stratford, lost his life by drowning Tuesday morning in the Des Moines river near Stratford.

The boy and two companions apparently had skipped school Tuesday to go fishing.

Junior Feaker, accompanied by his brother, Gary, 12, and David Long, 9, went to the river early Tuesday morning.
His companions told authorities that the boy waded out into the river shortly after getting to the stream, leaving a pile of his clothing on the bank.

The youngster, who was in the third grade at Stratford community school, was apparently swept away by the swift current and went under.

Gary and David told authorities that they tried to find a long stick to help Junior out but were unable to save him.

The two boys said they became frightened then, and returned home without telling anyone of the drowning until about four hours later.
The civilian defense rescue truck was called from Webster City and assisted in the search for the boy's body. The search was continued Wednesday morning after many hours Tuesday afternoon and evening failed to find a trace of the missing boy.

Stratford Courier
May 12, 1955

Service Held for Stratford River Victim

Services were held Saturday afternoon at South Marion Cemetery for Junior Feaker, 9, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Feaker, who drowned last Tuesday in the Des Moines River.

The Rev. Stanley Peterson of the Baptist church at Stratford officiated at the services. Hinson funeral home had charge of the services.

The body of the youth was recovered at 10:56 a.m. Saturday by Derald Hanson, Stratford funeral director, and Robert Eldredge, a member of the Webster City fire department rescue squad.

The body floated to the surface about 150 yards from the point where the youth was last seen by two companions when he drowned last Tuesday.

More than 50 law officers and volunteers participated in a four-day search for the body. Using 20 boats, they dragged the river over a wide area.

The spot where the body was recovered had been dragged several times and searchers had waded through the area.

Junior Feaker is survived by his parents, five brothers, Orville and Darold of Webster City, Burril in the army in Panama, and Robert and Gary at home; and three sisters, Mrs. Cleste [Clysta] Eckelberger [Echelberger] in Illinois, Mrs. Dora Finne in New York City, and Bonnie at home.

[some name typos in this obituary]