CREW, Deborah Ruth 1952 - 1963

CREW, SWITZER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:29

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, December 30, 1963
Front Page, Columns 2, 3, and 4,
and Page 4, Column 4

CREW Child Killed, Family Injured In Florida Crash

Last rites are being planned here for Debbie Ruth CREW, 11, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leland CREW, 104 Forest Drive, who was killed in a two-car crash near Tallahassee, Fla., Sunday morning.

Other members of the CREW family were seriously injured in the crash and are patients in a hospital at Tallahassee.

The drive of the other car, identified as Mrs. Josephine Lovelace Polhemus, 25, was also killed in the crash. Her husband, William Lake Polhemus, 28, and their five-month old daughter, Josephine, were injured.

Witnesses at the scene said the occupants of both cars were thrown from the two vehicles and were scattered along the highway for a distance of 200 feet.

Others Hurt

Leland CREW, father of the accident victim and track coach in the Fairfield Community school system, suffered a concussion and possible internal injuries. He underwent surgery Sunday and doctors said his condition is not as serious as they at first believed.

Mrs. CREW, the former Carol Jean SWITZER, also suffered a concussion along with multiple cuts and bruises; and their son, Tommy, 8, was the least injured, suffering cuts and bruises.

A long distance call this morning with Mrs. CREW's father, Norval SWITZER, revealed that all three are patients in the Tallahassee Memorial hospital. He said doctors had told him that it is believed the other three members of the family will recover.

Information from Florida said the accident occurred about three or four miles east of Tallahassee. The CREWs were traveling east on the highway when the other car entered the highway from a side road without obeying the stop sign.

Broadside

The CREW auto hit the other vehicle broadside, scattering wreckage for several hundred feet. It is believed Debbie was thrown out the back window of the station wagon. SWITZER said witnesses reported she was still breathing at the accident scene but was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The other crash victim, Mrs. Polhemus, lived about an hour and a half after her arrival at the hospital.

It was further reported that Leland CREW was found in the ditch some distance from the impact; and Mrs. CREW was in the middle of the highway.

Christmas Trip

The CREW family had spent Christmas with Mrs. CREW's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norval SWITZER, Largo, Fla., and were en route home. Largo is about 250 miles south of Tallahassee. The SWITZERs are former residents of Fairfield.

SWITZER said the CREW family had left their home about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, and the accident took place about 9:40 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. SWITZER arrived in Tallahassee Sunday afternoon.

Mr. SWITZER will accompany the body of his granddaughter to Fairfield where last rites will be held. He said he hoped to be able to leave Tallahassee tomorrow, making the trip by train. No date has been set for the funeral services. The body will be taken to the Raymond funeral home.

Born in 1952

Debbie Ruth CREW, 11, was born April 28, 1952, at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where her father was enrolled in school at that time.

The family has lived in Fairfield since 1956 when he was named to the coaching staff in the Fairfield school system. At the time of his appointment here he was on the school staff at Sigourney.

Debbie CREW was a fifth grade student at the Washington school and a member of the Girl Scouts.

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"The Fairfield Ia. Ledger"
Tuseday, December 31, 1963
Page 8, Column 4

Friday Rites For CREW Girl

Services for Debbie CREW, 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leland CREW, 104 Forest Drive, will be Friday at 10 a.m. at the First Christian church.

Debbie was killed Sunday in a two-car highway crash near Tallahassee, Fla. Her parents and brother, Tommy, 8, were injured in the accident and are patients at Tallahassee Memorial hospital.

The body will arrive Thursday at the Raymond Funeral home. It will be taken to the church Friday at 9 a.m Services will be conducted by the Rev. Ned Gillum. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

The CREW family was enroute home after a Christmas visit to Largo, Fla., when the accident occurred.

Leland CREW, teacher and coach in the Fairfield schools, was reported much improved today. He suffered a brain concussion and internal injuries. Mrs. CREW was also reported to be making good progress. She received a concussion along with multiple cuts and bruises.

Tommy CREW was les seriously injured. He is in a wheel chair and visited his parents in their hospital room twice Monday.

Debbie CREW was born April 28, 1952 at Cedar Falls. In addition to her parents and brother, she is survived by the following grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Keith CREW, Fairfield; and Mr. and Mrs. Norval SWITZER, Largo, Fla.

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"The Fairfield Ia. Ledger"
Tuesday, January 2, 1964
Page 2, Column 8

Memorial Fund For CREW Child

A memorial fund for the late Debbie Ruth CREW has been established at the First Christian church, it was announced today.

Debbie CREW, 11, was killed last Sunday in a traffic accident near Tallahassee, Fla. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leland CREW, and brother, Tommy, 8, were injured in the accident and are hospital patients in Tallahassee.

The Rev. Ned Gillum, pastor of the church, said gifts may be sent to him or to any officer of the church. An appropriate memorial will be designated later. Funeral services for the CREW child will be held at the church Friday at 10 a.m.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, January 11, 1964
Front Page, Column 3

Leland CREWs Now Patients At Ottumwa

Mr. and Mrs. Leland CREW, 104 Forest Drive, are now patients at the Ottumwa hospital where they are recovering from injuries received in a traffic accident December 29 near Tallahassee, Fla.

They were released from Tallahassee Memorial hospital earlier this week, making the trip to Ottumwa by train. Both are reported improving, but they will remain in the hospital for some time.

The CREWs' daughter, Debbie, 11, was killed in the tragic two car accident and their son, Tommy, 8, was injured.

Tommy has recovered from his injuries and is now with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Keith CREW, 306 E. Lowe. He will returned to school at the Washington building Monday.

CREW is elementary physical education instructor in the local schools. He received multiple injuries, including a shoulder separation which will require further surgery at the Ottumwa hospital.

The CREW family was en route to Fairfield from Largo, Fla., when the accident occurred. They were on a holiday visit to the home of Mrs. CREW's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norval SWITZER.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.099.