Douglas Wayne Hilpipre (1957-1963) Alternate

HILPIPRE, SMITH

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

September 17, 1957 --- October 26, 1963

Woolstock Boy Dies in Gun Mishap

Douglas Hilpipre, 6-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hilpipre of Woolstock, was fatally wounded Saturday evening in a gun accident at his home.

Dr. Robert McCool of Clarion, Wright county medical examiner, said today that the youngster was hit by a bullet from a .22 caliber rifle which Douglas’ brother, Randy, 12, was holding.

The medical examiner said the older boy had taken the rifle down from a gun rack and was playfully aiming the gun when it discharged. Douglas was hit in the upper abdomen and died about 10 minutes later at his home.

The mishap occurred at about 7:55 p.m. in the living room of the Woolstock home.

Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for Douglas Hilpipre will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. Leon Wallace of Woolstock officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland cemetery.

Douglas Wayne Hilpipre, son of Howard and Dorothy Smith Hilpipre, was born Sept. 17, 1957, at the Lutheran hospital in Fort Dodge. He had always resided in the Woolstock community.

He attended the first grade in the Woolstock elementary school.

List Survivors

He is survived by his parents, three brothers and one sister, Rodney Hilpipre, Webster City, Leo, Randy and Bonnie, all at home; also two nieces, Leanne and Kimberly Hilpipre; the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Hilpipre of Webster City and Claude Smith of Rockford, Ill., and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Douglas attended Sunday school at the Methodist church in Woolstock.

Daily Freeman Journal --- Webster City, Iowa
October 28, 1963

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Hilpipre Services Held Here Tuesday

Funeral services for Douglas Hilpipre, 6, were held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. Leon Wallace of Woolstock officiating. Burial was in Graceland cemetery.

Mildred Evans was vocal soloist, and Mrs. R. W. Graves was organist for the services.

Pallbearers were Francis Smith, Paul M. Smith, Alvin Hilpipre, and Wayne Hilpipre.

Douglas Hilpipre died Saturday evening at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hilpipre of Woolstock.

Daily Freeman Journal – Webster City, Iowa
October 31, 1963

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Accidental Shot Claims Boy's Life

A six year old Woolstock boy was accidently shot and killed in his home Saturday evening, Oct. 26, as he and his eleven year old brother were watching television.

Dead is Douglas Hilpipre, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hilpipre of Woolstock. The accident occurred at about 7:40 or 7:50 p. m. according to deputy sheriff Harrold Bygness who investigated the incident.

Bygness said the boys were alone watching television when eleven year old Randy took a .22 caliber rifle off a rack and was playing with it. The weapon discharged accidentally and the bullet passed through the chest of Douglas and lodged in his arm.

Randy summoned a neighbor, Harold Rholl, for help. The Woolstock rescue squad and an Eagle Grove physician were called but the boy died about ten minutes after the accident.

Dr. Robert McCool of Clarion Wright county medical examiner, said death was due to internal hemorrhaging.

Funeral services for Douglas were conducted Tuesday at the Foster Funeral Home in Webster City with the Rev. Leon Wallace of Woolstock officiating. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery at Webster City.

The boy, who was a first grader in the Woolstock school, is survived by his parents, three brothers and one sister, Rodney of Webster City, and Leo, Bonnie and Randy at home; and his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Hilpipre of Webster City and Claude Smith of Rockford, Ill.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 31, 1963