William G. Metcalf dies in wood cutting mishap: 1985

METCALF, NICKLIN, RHODA, ESSARY, SHUTE, NEWBURN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/13/2022 at 09:34:06

Hawkeye Jan 2

William G. Metcalf dies in wood cutting mishap

DOUDS - William G. Metcalf, 42, Douds, died Tuesday while cutting firewood in timber, owned by his father, 3 1/2 miles southwest of Douds. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Van Buren County Sheriff's office ruled the death was accidental.

The accident occurred about 2:30 p.m. A neighbor, William Nicklin, found the victim about 4:20 p.m. and called the Douds First Responders unit. Metcalf was taken by ambulance to Ottumwa Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Nicklin said he and Metcalf had been working together in the timber area a few days earlier. When he found Metcalf, a power saw was lying on a stump and an axe was nearby.

Nicklin said the victim had a head injury, apparently caused by the axe or a piece of wood from the tree he was attempting to fell.

Mr. Metcalf was born Dec. 6, 1943, at Ottumwa to Warren and Vivian Rhoda Metcalf. He married Peggy Essary June 15, 1963.

A resident of Selma most of his life, he was employed by Rockwell International at Fairfield and operated a used car lot in Eldon. He was a member of the Selma United Methodist Church.

Surviving: His wife; a daughter, Connie Jo, at home; a son, Rick, Selma; one grandson; his parents, Douds; two sisters, Pat Shute, Cedar Rapids, and Juanita Newburn, St. Petersburg, Fla.; four brother, John and Steve, Douds, Andy, Eldon, and Matt, Birmingham; grandmothers, Mrs. Temple Cooper and Mrs. Mae Rhoda, both of Ottumwa.

Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Eldon Christian Church, the Rev. Chris Daniels; Iowaville Cemetery near Selma. A memorial has been established for the Selma United Methodist Church Mission. The body is at the Campbell Funeral Home, Eldon.

Source: "Scrapbook 1986 - 1988", Pg. 304,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA