Norton, Ward 1914-1948

NORTON, FLETCHER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/8/2018 at 23:33:04

Note: His mother's maiden name was Fletcher.

W. Norton Funeral Services Saturday

Car Went Off Mink Creek Bridge Slippery With Mud

The funeral of Ward Norton, 34 years old, a mechanic; living in Merrill, was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Mauers Funeral home. Rev. Gilbert Stadley, pastor of Assembly of God church officiated at the services. The burial was at the city cemetery.

Norton was born to Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Norton on March 5, 1914, in Plymouth county. He was married and divorced. He is survived by a daughter Ardyce, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Norton, a grandmother, Mrs. Mattie Fletcher. Two brothers Raymond, Lloyd and Herbert and two sisters, Mrs. Eugene Braun (Marjorie) and Mrs. Eugene Braun (Marjorie) and Mrs. Joe Orban, (Vivian). He was preceded in death by two sons.

Pall bearers were Henry Eilks, Marvin Susemihl, Harlan Rowe, LeRoy Dirks, Dick Dykstra and Sam Haudenschild.

According to the report, Norton was driving in a heavy down pour at about 6:30 in the evening. The surface of the road was covered with a film of soup like mud. When Norton started across the bridge, the car skidded sideways, crashed through the railing, and fell upside-down in the creek.

There was about 5 feet of water in the creek at the time of the crash. A beaver dam about 100 yards down the stream had backed up the water.

The car landed upside in the stream, and a cushion became dislodged, pinning Norton to the top of the car. A passerby spotted the car and then went to call for help.

The highway patrol called Harner’s wrecker and proceeded to the scene of the wreck. Because of greasy road, the wreck was difficult to remove. A tractor was used to help the wrecker, and then finally the car was pulled from the river.

Lemars Globe Post
Monday, November 15, 1948
Le Mars, Iowa