Ward E. Wight

WIGHT, DONALDSON, JENNINGS, GILLESPIE

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 2/18/2006 at 10:59:23

WARD WIGHT Died in Tractor Upset

Winterset Madisonian
August 25, 1965

Ward E. Wight, member of a well-known Madison county family, was crushed to death last Wednesday afternoon, Aug 18, in the upset of the tractor he was operating.

The fatal accident occurred in a field at his farm in Douglas township. He and his son, Douglas, were engaged in moving some logs in a field. Both were operating tractors. Suddenly the machine Mr. Wight was operating flipped over, pinning him underneath. The son was unable to free his father alone, and ran to the Joe Bruns home just across the road, where help was summoned. Neighbors answered the call, and were able to free Mr. Wight from the tractor, but he had been fatally injured.

Mr. Wight was a life-time resident of the community west of Winterset. He was born there Aug. 17, 1910, the youngest son of Frank E. and Blanche Donaldson Wight, and was 55 years of age at his death.

He attended Winterset High school, graduating with the class of 1927, and Iowa State university at Ames, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilion social fraterntiy.

His life was spent farming in Douglas township. He was active in the affairs of his community, and had served as township clerk. He was a member of the First Methodist Church at Winterset.

Mr. Wight was married at Winterset on May 24, 1945, to Ione Jennings, who survives him. He also leaves two sons, Douglas, aged 18 , and Bruce, aged 14; a sister, Mrs. Nellie E. Gillespie of Glendate, Calif; and three brothers, C. Claire Wight of Murray, George D. Wight of Winterset, and Gayle L. Wight of Rock Island, Ill.

Funeral services were held Saturday from the First Methodist church of Winterset, in charge of the pastor, the Rev. E. K. Burham. Burial was made in the Winterset Cemetery.