WALGREN, Richard O.: Died 1978

WALGREN, ANDERSON, TRABERT, GROTHE, ENSMINGER, LARSON

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/12/2019 at 23:34:00

The Fairfield Ledger
July 24, 1978

At Oakland Mills -
Area man drowns

MOUNT PLEASANT - Richard O. Walgren, 56, Mount Pleasant, was drowned and another was rescued following a boating accident late Sunday afternoon in Skunk River downstream from the Oakland Mills dam.

Walgren and a friend, William Anderson, were in a boat on the river when the boat's motor died. The drifting boat became entangled in trees and sank.

Anderson was pulled from the water by a nearby resident but Walgren went under. His body was found shortly after according to Richard Droz, Henry county sheriff.

Skunk River is out of its banks in lowland areas and its banks in lowland areas and is running bank full at Oakland Mills which is located about ten miles southwest of Mount Pleasant.

Services

Services for Walgren will be at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant with Father Barnabus Barker officiating. Burial will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.

The Parish will recite The rosary at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Weir-Cookes Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Friends may call at the funeral home as they desire after 5 p.m. Tuesday. The casket will remain closed.

Walgren was born Dec. 11, 1921, at Lockridge, the son of Earl A. and Gladys M. Trabert Walgren.

His marriage to Mary H. Grothe took place May 16, 1944, at Brooklyn, N.Y. She survives.

Walgren was employed by Goodrich Tire Co., and in 1954 formed a partnership with his brother, Stanley, starting a grocery store on the east side of the Mount Pleasant square. The store was lated moved to the old Benner Store location.

Most recently Walgren was employed by King Distributing Co., Fairfield. He served in the navy during World War II, he was a past member of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Moose Lodge.

In addition to his widow he is survived by the following children: two sons, Ronald R., Mount Pleasant, and David E., at home; five daughters, Carol Ensminger, Mediapolis; Janet A. Walgren, Richfield, Minn.; Virginia J. Larson, Mount Pleasant; and Lori Ann and Debra at home.

He is also survived by five grandchildren and his brother, Stanley Walgren, Wapello.

(Transcribed for genealogical purposes only. I am of no relation.)