TenHarmsel, John 1914-1944

TENHARMSEL, RUYS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 1/19/2014 at 13:14:14

Source: Sioux Center News (1-6-1944)

John Ten Harmsel, 30, former Sioux Center farmer and truck driver, was fatally crushed in the cab of the gasoline transport truck which he was driving accompanied by Dale Kimmel of Sheldon, on Highway 75, two miles south of Hinton, Monday forenoon. Kimmel also was crushed to death. Patrolmen reported that the gasoline transport which Ten Harmsel was driving was attempting to pass a stock truck driven by Vernon Frericks, 17, of Alton, when Frericks, who said he signaled for a left turn, starting turning. The transport came alongside, glanced off the left fender and plunged into a drainage canal. The force of the loaded gasoline tank demolished the cab and motor, mangling the bodies of the two men beyond recognition, making identification difficult. Plymouth county coroner S.H. Luken and Sheriff Frank Scholer with a three man jury, came to view the bodies which were taken to the Anderson Funeral Home at Sioux City by ambulance.

Two automotive wrecking crews of Sioux City worked nearly three hours to remove the wreckage from the creek bottom so the bodies could be extricated. About half the gasoline load was lost in the creek, but there was no fire. The truck belonged to Wiersma and Vanden Bosch of Sheldon by whom the two men were employed as drivers.

Funeral services for John Ten Harmsel will be held at the home of his parents here on Thursday, at 1 o’clock and at the First Christian Reformed Church at 1:30 with Rev. Arnoys officiated. Burial will take place at the local cemetery.

John Ten Harmsel has spent nearly all his thirty years in and around Sioux Center. He moved here with his parents from Hull where he was born, at the age of 12 and has lived here ever since until last January when he moved to Sheldon to work for Wiersma and Vanden Bosch. He is survived by his wife, the former Irene Ruys; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Ten Harmsel; three brothers, Herman of Doon; Gerrit of Inwood; Harry of Sioux Center, and five sisters, Jennie (Mrs. C.M Vugteveun of Hull), Minnie (Mrs. Henry Meyer), Johanna, Marie and Henrietta.