CROSS, Robert Olen 1928 - 1965

CROSS, IKEMA, HAGANS

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

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, May 1, 1965
Front Page, Columns 5, 6, and 7

Robert CROSS Is Victim--

Local Man Killed In Crash

MORAVIA, Ia. -- Robert O. CROSS, 36, an employe at the Philco plant in Fairfield, was instantly killed early this morning when the car in which he was riding plunged over an embankment and skidded on its top across a fence.

The accident took place about 1:40 a.m., 4½ miles southeast of Moravia in Appanoose county on what is known as the Moravia-Unionville road.

Harry Robertson, sheriff of Appanoose county, said CROSS was thrown from the 1964 Ford convertible and it apparently slid over him. His body was found about 30 feet from the wreckage.

Ironically, his first wife, a native of Japan, was killed in a similar accident on Sept. 23, 1962. She was driving a car which went out of control and plunged into a deep ditch on highway 34 three miles east of Fairfield. She too was killed instantly.

Others Injured

CROSS was accompanied by his daughter, Susan, 16, a student in the Fairfield Community high school, and two young men. All were injured and taken to St. Joseph hospital in Centerville.

The daughter suffered a severe cut on the leg and other cuts and bruises. She was listed in good condition this morning.

Dannie Hargrave, 22, Moulton, was driving the car. Officers said he suffered facial cuts, and other cuts and bruises. The fourth passenger was Ronald Lee Anderson, 22, Keota, who suffered cuts and bruises.

Hargrave remained in the overturned car and was trapped underneath for a time after it came to a halt on its back. Sheriff Robertson said he had been told the two young men are school teachers at Danville, Iowa.

Investigating officers said the car was traveling southeast toward Unionville. He said the driver told him the car was going about 45 miles an hour and the vehicle apparently came too close to the edge of the road in going around a curve.

As the vehicle started to slip, he said he applied the brakes and it plunged over the embankment. The car, a convertible, was traveling with its top down.

The three passengers were thrown from the vehicle when it rolled over. Only the driver remained inside. It is believe the car slid over CROSS after he was thrown out.

CROSS is survived by his wife, Donna Jean, and four children, Susan, William, Linda and Robert Jr. His mother, Mrs. Verle HAGANS, Fairfield, also survives. His father is deceased.

The body is at the Weston Behner Funeral home. Services are pending.

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"The Fairfield Ia. Ledger"
Monday, May 3, 1965
Page 8, Column 5

CROSS Funeral To Be Tuesday

Last rites for Robert O. CROSS, Fairfield factory employe instantly killed in a one-car accident near Moravia early Saturday morning, will be held Tuesday afternoon.

The services Tuesday will be at 2 p.m. at the Weston Behner funeral home with the Rev. Ned Gillum in charge.

Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery where military rites will be conducted.

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

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.187 with first wife Fujiko IKEMA CROSS. The four children who survive Robert are from the first marriage.