Karreman, James – 1890-1939

CHAPLIN, KARREMAN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:38

Jimmy Karreman Honored In Funeral Rites Today
Military Burial Accorded Veteran of World War Who Died in Train Mishap
Funeral services for James Karreman, popular 48-year-old local substitute mail carrier, who was killed Saturday morning when struck by a Rock Island freight train in north Newton, were to be closed this afternoon with a military burial.
Immediate surviving relatives are his wife, the former Nona Blanche Chaplin and two daughters, Nona Blanche, 15, and Helen Lucille, 12.
Pallbearers
Funeral services were to be held at the First Evangelical Lutheran church this afternoon with the Rev. F. D. Boldt in charge. Graveside services and burial were to be in the Newton Union cemetery.
Pallbearers were Harry Skow, Albert Soderblom, Harold Lufkin, Ralph Gardner, Art Jackson and Lloyd Lane. American Legionnaires were to attend the services in a group and a Legion rifle squad was to appear in the graveside rites.
Mrs. Mattie Trapp and Mrs. August Henning were to sing “Old Rugged Cross” and “In the Garden,” with Mrs. R. L. Jackson as their accompanist. Women in charge of flowers were to be Mrs. Ole Borch, Mrs. John Christen, Mrs. R. S. Trevethan, Mrs. J. H. Emory and Mrs. D. B. Barton
Fatally Injured
Karreman was fatally injured about 10:40 o’clock Saturday morning as he was walking alongside the Chicago, Rock Island tracks near the East Fifth street North crossing in northeast Newton. A substitute carrier for the city for 11 years, he was walking west along the tracks when a westbound freight “extra” came through. About 100 feet east of the fifth street crossing, it is believed that Karreman stumbled or slipped in such a manner as to be pitched into one of the car of the train.
Thrown Clear
He was thrown clear of the tracks by the impact, and was found about 30 minutes after the train went through, lying face down alongside the tracks. He suffered a sharp blow to the back of his head, causing a skull fracture.
The train did not stop, trainmen unaware that anything had happened until the Rock Island station was notified some half hour or 45 minutes later when officials investigated the mishap after Karreman’s body had been found.
Mrs. Karreman and the two children, all of whom are well known in Newton were distraught by the tragedy, all three being under doctor’s care for the part of the time over the week-end.
A native of The Netherlands, James Karreman was born the son of Tuenus and Jennie Karreman Dec. 2, 1890 and came to the United States in 1911 and settled at Holland, Mich. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Lived On Homestead
From Michigan Karreman went to Montana to live on a homestead where he spent a year before coming to Newton July 25, 1918. He entered the United States Army a few weeks after coming to Newton, served with the 88 Casualty company, 169th D. B., and later saw service with two other units of the A.E.F.
Karreman arrived in France Oct. 6, 1918 and served with the United States forces in France until sailing for the United States Jan. 19, 1919. He was honorably discharged Feb. 22, 1919.
Returning to Newton, Karreman engaged in farming south of Newton for two years and married Nona Blanche Chaplin Jan. 17, 1923. Two daughters, Nona Blanche and Helen Lucille, who both survive, were born to this union.
In 1924 Karreman was working for the Denniston and Partridge company here.
For the past 11 years he had been a substitute mail carrier here. The Karreman home is at 612 South Fourth Avenue West.
He was active in service organizations and was a member of the Newton American Legion post, the local voiture of 40 and 8 and the Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Source: Newton (IA) Daily News; October 30, 1939, page 1