Hafkey, Richard L. 1945-1967

HAFKEY, RICH, BERRY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/8/2010 at 08:22:04

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) March 20, 1967

GEN. TEL. LINEMAN:
DIED IN FALL FROM POLE

A young employee of General Telephone Company was killed as the result of a fall from a telephone pole on which he was working Thursday.

Dead is Richard L. Hafkey, 21, a lineman for the company.

Officials of the company said Hafkey was tying wires near the top of the pole, when he slipped and fell backward, breaking his neck on impact.

The accident occurred Thursday afternoon in an alley on 9th Ave. between Broad and Park, in Grinnell. Hafkey was tying wires that had already been strung. He had reached the top of the pole, but slipped before he had time to fasten his safety belt. He fell apporximately 16 feet to the ground.

Hafkey had been employed by the company only two months.

Richard L. Hafkey was born June 8, 1945, at Grinnell. He attended school in this area, graduating from the Gilman high school in 1964.

He was married on October 3, 1964, to Constance Rich. To the couple was born one son, Michael.

Richard Hafkey farmed with his father in the past, but for the last several months he was employed by the telephone company.

He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hafkey of Grinnell; a sister, Marianne; a brother, George, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Berry of Ewart.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Assembly of God church. Rev. Stanley Johnson and Rev. Richard Hempenius officiated. Vocalist was Rev. Hilton Griswald, and the organist was Mrs. Ruth Wilson.

Burial was in the Chester cemetery, under the direction of the James-Schalinske Funeral Home.