Bolluyt, Elmer - 1928-1955

BOLLUYT, HOLTROP

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/13/2015 at 12:59:30

Hawarden Independent, June 16, 1955

Elmer Bolluyt, 26, a farmer living 5 miles south and a half mile west of Hawarden, was accidentally killed Friday morning in a 12 gauge shot gun accident. The gun charge struck him in the right temple as he was in his car in a field near his home.

County Coroner A. D. Van Etten and Sheriff Harry Dykstra, who investigated, said that the gun accidentally discharged as Mr. Bolluyt attempted to leave the car. No inquest was held.

Mr. Bolluyt was hunting dogs which had molested his sheep.

The cororner placed the time of the accident at about 10 o'clock. Mrs. Bolluyt sought help from a neighbor, George Noble, when her husband did not return for lunch at noon.

Two sons of the Nobles, Arnold, 18, and Harvey, 14, found the body about three-fourths of a mile from the Bolluyt home. Mr. & Mrs. Noble notified officers after they had informed Mrs. Bolluyt and relatives of the tragedy.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the Christian Reformed church with Rev. B. Vanden Brink officiating. Burial was in Grace Hill cemetery, under the direction of the Barnard Funeral Home. Flags were flown at half mast in the business section during the day.

A son of Mr. & Mrs. Bert Bolluyt, he was born August 24, 1928, at Maurice and came to Hawarden as a child. He attended school in Hawarden. He was married in November of 1949 to Miss Grace Holtrop of Hawarden. He had been engaged in farming for a number of years.

Mr. Bolluyt served four years in the navy following World War II and was stationed most of that time at Pearl Harbor. He was a member of the Christian Reformed church.

Survivors are the widow; Grace, two children, Irene Kay, 4, and Louis, 3; his parents Mr. & Mrs. Bert Bolluyt of Hawarden; one sister, Mrs. Don Schlueter of Hawarden, and two brothers, Erwin, who is in the signal corps at Fort Monmouth, N.J. and Edward of Hawarden. A sister preceded him in death.

Through the facilities of the Red Cross Erwin was granted leave to come home for the funeral.