LOOMIS, Printis M.: Died 1969

LOOMIS, RAGAR, CANNY, WHEELDON, RUNYON, KENNEDY, SHARP, LAUGHLIN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/24/2017 at 23:15:06

PRINTIS M. LOOMIS, SELMA ENGINEER SUFFERS FATAL ATTACK
(Ottumwa Daily Courier)

A possible train accident in the Rock Island Railroad Yards at Eldon was averted early Sunday morning, Jan. 26 by two switchmen when the switch engineer, Printis M. Loomis of Selma, did not respond to signals given by the switchmen, Geo. Noel and Oscar Wilburn, both of Eldon.

Loomis, alone in the engine, was attempting to switch out one car of the 33 loaded coal cars the engine was carrying. He failed to stop the engine when the two men flagged him from the ground.

As the engine speeded up the switchmen attempted to board it, but couldn't because of ice along the track. They followed the engine by automobile. Wilburn was able to get on the engine after it traveled about 3/4 of a mile and had gone through several switches. The train was headed west and was near the main line track when it was finally stopped.

Wilburn found Loomis, 65, dead from an apparent heart attack. The time was approximately 1:10 A.M.

Loomis was born in Libertyville, April 28, 1903, the son of George and Ellen McBride Loomis. He had lived in Eldon are 52 years and had been employed by the Rock Island Railroad since 1922. He was a member of the Brotherhood-of-Locomotive Engineers.

He married Ora Ragar July 11, 1944. She survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Steve Canny of Ottumwa, Mrs. Donald Wheeldon and Mrs. Ronald Runyon, both of Batavia, and Candance, at home; two sons, George and Michael, also at home; two daughters by a former marriage, Shirley Kennedy of Orion, Ill., and Betty Sharp of Davenport; four grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. James Laughlin of Eldon.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday at Campbell Funeral Home, Eldon, conducted by the Rev. Earl Menning. Burial was in Iowaville Cemetery, Selma.

**Handwritten: Rec-Rep. 30 Jan. 1969

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book J, Page 51, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA