Wabeke, John - 1929-1955

WABEKE, MCLAIN

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/26/2011 at 12:13:12

Sioux Center News, July 7, 1955

FORMER IRETON MAN KILLED IN AUTO CRASH NEAR THERE SUNDAY; COUNTY'S 4TH DEATH.

John Wabeke, 26, son of Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Wabeke of Iteton, died almost instantly at about 9:50 a.m. Sunday as the result of a two car collision two miles east of Ireton.

He died of a fractured skull. This was the fourth auto fatality in Sioux County this year.

According to Sheriff Harry Dykstra, who investigated the accident, Wabeke and his wife and two children were driving north and Mr. & Mrs. John Toenjes, also of Ireton, were going east on their way to a country Lutheran church when the two cars came together. Wabeke was driving a 1952 Pontiac and Mr. Toenjes, 78, was driving a 1953 Ford. Sheriff Dykstra said the corner was not obstructed.

Neither Mrs. Wabeke nor their two children were seriously hurt. Mr. Toenjes suffered a broken collar bone and other bruises while his wife, Mary, 70, escaped with cuts and bruises.

Young Wabeke, a radar technician who was helping install a radar station in Minnesota, was visiting his parents over the week end.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in Hawarden Tuesday and military services will be held today in Oklahoma City, Okla. where the Wabekes had made their home since he was discharged from the Air Force. Burial will be there.

John Wabeke was born March 18, 1929 near Pipestone, Minn. At the age of 15 he moved with his family to a farm northeast of Ireton and was graduated from the Maurice high school. Following his graduation he attended an electronics school at Omaha, Neb.

After completing his studies in electronics he accepted a job in Pipestone, Minn., where he remained until October 20, 1950, when he joined the United States Air Force. He served his country four years as radar maintenance technician.

During his tour of duty he was united in marriage to Juanita Mae McLain of Parks, Arkansas, on October 27, 1952. To this marriage where born two children, Larry Joe who is 21 months, and Deberah Kay who is 4 months old.

John was released from active duty October 24, 1954, after which time he has been employed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, as ground radar installer and repairer. At the time of his death he was on detached service from Tinker Air Force Base.

He was baptized in the Christian faith at the age of twelve years and joined the Methodist church at Pipestone, MN. He was a loyal attendant at Sunday School, receiving several attendance pins.

John leaves to cherish his memory his wife and two children, his parents, one sister Christine (Mrs. Albert Pike) of Oklahoma City, OK, and six brothers: Arie of Owatona, MN; Jacobus (Jake) of Craig, Iowa; Frank of Oklahoma City, OK; Gerrit of Pipestone, MN Bastian (Capp) of Maurice; and Cornelius (Junior) of Maurice.