Edward Balichek

BALICHECK, WEAVER, VACEK

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 4/30/2020 at 16:13:16

5 June 1941 - The Anamosa Journal

OXFORD JUNCTION--Edward Balichek, 18, was drowned Thursday afternoon in the Wapsie river at his brother George's farm one mile southwest of Oxford Junction.

Edward who had been working in the field with his brother-in-law, Rex Weaver, became warm and decided to go into the river for a swim and cool off. He was not an expert swimmer and Mr. Weaver cautioned him that the river was very deep, but he immediately struck out into the deep water and went down. His companion summoned help at once.

There were so many snags in the river at this place that dragging was not practicable and help of expert divers was summoned from Cedar Rapids. At 11 a.m. Friday the body was found by Donald MacGregor, a classmate of the Balichek boy. It was located about 20 feet below here he had gone in and in shallow water, three and a half feet deep.

The body was removed to the Hayden mortuary and F. L. Harrington, Wyoming, Jones county coroner held no inquest. Funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Balicheck, one mile east of town.

Service was in charge of Rev. Walter A. Wolgemuth, pastor of the English Lutheran church, assisted by Antone Vanicek. Active pallbearers, all classmates of Edward who graduated a week ago from the Oxford Junction high school, were James Turner, Walter Koranda, Stanley Divoky, Donald MacGregor, Harry Pegorick and Marvin Klahn. Honorary pallbearers were Leonard Benhart, Evard Magruder, Darrell Leslie and Lee Stowers. Flowers were in charge of the girls of his class, Helen Harms, Helen Henak, June Kula, Cecelia Lasack, Marjorie Leslie, Dorothy Nowachek and Ruth Raymond. Burial was in the Mayflower cemetery.

Edward was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Balichek and was born here. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Louis and George, jr., and two sisters, Mrs. Albert Vacek and Anna Balichek.