Irvin Bohlken 1913-1959

BOHLKEN, HOLMES, WILKEN, MORGAN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/30/2021 at 07:55:19

29 January 1959 - Monticello Express

Jones County chalked up its third fatal accident of 1959 Tuesday night at 9:55 when a 1954 Ford driven by Irvin George Bohlken, 45, broke in pieces as it hit the bridge just east of Langworthy on highway 151.

Bohlken was killed instantly when his car hit the left hand side of the bridge at a high rate of speed, flipped over and hit the right side of the bridge, and then came to rest on its side crossways in the road at the opposite end of the bridge.

It was believed that Bohlken had gone downtown to pick up one of his sons. It was not known why he was on the highway or where he intended to go.

The vehicle was discovered almost immediately by Duane Tholen, Route 2, Monticello, who immediately called the highway patrol and the Monticello emergency unit.

Highway Patrolman Kenneth Carter and Sgt. Dean Lewis of West Liberty took the call and arrived at the accident seven minutes after it happened. They had been checking speeders with a radar unit just north of Monticello prior to the time of the accident.

The emergency unit arrived at the scene within ten minutes after the accident happened and crew members directed traffic, rerouted it around rural roads and kept a fire extinguisher near the gasoline that covered the roadway

Nearly all law enforcement officers who viewed the wreckage said it was the worst accident they had ever seen.

Funeral services for Irvin George Bohlken will be held at 1:30 this afternoon in Wayne Zion Lutheran church with Rev. Otto Zwanziger conducting the services.

He was born Nov. 29, 1913, in Monticello, the son of Benhard and Anna Mary Weers Bohlken. He was married to Mary Holmes Jan. 22, 1941.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Anna Bohlken; his wife, Mary; four sons, Irvin George, Melvin Thomas, Kevin John and Michael James; two daughters, Carole Marie and Dianne Lee; two sisters, Mrs. Ervin (Alvina) Wilken of Anamosa and Mrs. Don (Elieen) Morgan of Cedar Rapids and one brother, Leonard, of Monticello. One brother, Ernest and his father preceded him in death.

Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.