Hoffman, Harold 1930 - 1951

HOFFMAN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/30/2011 at 20:43:46

Harold Hoffman Was on Way To Take Draft Exam

Funeral services for Harold Hoffman of Akron, who was killed Tuesday morning when the car he was driving struck a south bound freight at West Le Mars will be held Friday at 1 p. m. from the Methodist church in Akron. The Rev. Myron Brauhn will conduct the services, and burial will be in Riverside cemetery at Akron.

The son of W. G. Hoffman of Route 1, Akron, young Hoffman was on his way to Le Mars to leave with a contingent of men going to Sioux Falls for physical examination prior to induction. He was well known in Akron, where he had graduated from high school in 1948, and was active in the Methodist church and in 4-H club work. His tragic death was a shock to his home community and many other persons throughout the county.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister. He was born near Lincoln, Neb., June 30, 1930.

The accident occurred about 7:30 a. m. Tuesday when young Hoffman's car struck what was believed to be the second car in an unscheduled Great Northern freight train. A wet snow during the night had coated the road with a treacherous white sheet, and Harold Luken, who lives west of town narrowly escaped the same fate. His pickup truck was ahead of the Hoffman car, a 1941 Dodge, as they came down the long hill to the rail crossing. As he approached the crossing, the freight train appeared from the north, and Mr. Luken found his truck sliding toward the train. However, he was able to turn off to the south in the nick of lime, according to George and Alice Carstensen who witnessed the crash, and followed along beside the train. Behind him came Harold Hoffman, unable to stop. The crash spun the Hoffman car completely around, so that it again faced east. The driver was thrown from the vehicle, his body landing 75 feet from the crossing. Brakeman M. E. Rickard of Sioux City, one of the first persons to reach Hoffman after the accident, reported to Sheriff Frank Scholer, that the youth was dead when he found him. Mr. Scholer said the victim suffered a broken back, and his right arm and leg were mangled. Coroner S. H. Luken termed the death accidental, and no inquest was held.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, February 9, 1951
Le Mars, IA

Accident Occurs At West Le Mars While On Way To Draft Call .

A tragic and fatal highway accident shook this community Tuesday morning when Harold Hoffman; 21 year old, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Hoffman, east of town, was instantly killed when the car he was driving skidded on the icy road and crashed into the side of the second car of a fast moving southbound freight train of the Great Northern railroad at the crossing at the old town of Dalton, now West Le Mars, three miles west of that city. His body was hurled distance of about 76 feet and the auto was demolished.

Harold was alone in the car and was going to Le Mars to report to the county draft board before being sent to Sioux Falls for a physical examination preliminary to induction into the service. The county coroner did not deem an inquest necessary and the body was removed to a Le Mars funeral home. Investigation showed that before the collision Harold had evidently applied his brakes, but the wheels locked and it could be seen where the auto slid on the icy, road and- down the slight decline to the railroad crossing for the unavoidable accident.

Harold is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Hoffman, an older and a younger brother, William and Lee, and a sister, Mary Ann. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the community in their sad and sudden bereavement. Harold was a graduate of Akron High school. He was a bright and likeable lad and popular among his associates.

Funeral, services will be held tomorrow (Friday) at 1:00. p, m. in the Akron Methodist church, Rev. H. Myron Braun officiating.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, February 8, 1951
Akron, Iowa