Wetrosky, Kendall C. 1942-1969

WETROSKY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 10:34:00

EMPLOYEE, 27, DIES IN FALL AT FEED MILL

An employee of Nixon & Co. feed mill, on Dace Ave., was killed late Monday afternoon in an accident at the plant.

Kendall C. Wetrosky, 27, Route 2, Westfield, Iowa, died of suffocation when he fell in a feed tank in which he was working, according to Dr. Thomas L. Coriden, Woodbury County medical examiner.

Police said they were told by fellow employees that Mr. Wetrosky went into the tank on a ladder from the roof of the building about 4:45 p.m. when the feed in the tank—known as mids—became clogged and would not flow freely.

When he did not come out of the tank, which is one of several at the plant, employees called the fire department rescue squad and police, according to a police report.

The plant was searched, and some of Mr. Wetrosky’s tools were found on the roof near the tank, the report said. The tank was drained and Mr. Wetrosky’s body was visible at the bottom of it.

The fire department’s aerial truck was summoned and firemen, working from a ladder hoisted to the tank, pulled Mr. Wetrosky’s body up through the tank with ropes, firemen said.

The tank is about 60 feet deep, approximately 15 to 20 feet in diameter, and was about half full of feed, the police report indicated.

Mr. Wetrosky was born April 6, 1942, in Sioux City. He was graduated from Morningside College and from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He was employed at Nixon & Co. part-time while attending college, and had been employed by the firm full-time for two years.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wetrosky of Westfield; and three brothers, Lorrell and Phillip, both of Sioux City, and James, at home.

The body was taken to the Anderson Funeral Home.