Meendering, Robert John, 1928-1940

MEENDERING, LUINSTRA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/30/2022 at 16:22:47

From the Sioux Center News, October 10, 1940:

Robert Meendering, 12, Killed When Car Hits His Bicycle
Moved to Inwood Last Spring

Inwood, Ia.—Special: Robert Meendering, 12-year-old farm boy, was killed almost instantly late Monday afternoon when the bicycle on which he was riding home from school was struck by an automobile on highway 18 two miles west of Inwood. The accident occurred about half a mile from the rural school where the lad was a seventh grade pupil.

Authorities reported that the driver of the car which struck the bicycle was Albert Wreman of Little Rock, who was operating an automobile owned by T. W. Huisman of Little Rock.

The dead boy was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meendering who moved to this vicinity from Sioux Center, last March.

Surviving are the boy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Meendering, two brothers, Jacob and Elmer, and two sisters, Gertrude and Patricia. The funeral will be held from the First Christian Reformed Church of Inwood with Rev. A. Wassink officiating.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Similar obituaries appeared in several other area newspapers. That in the Sioux County Index (Hull) (Oct. 11) says that the family moved to the Inwood vicinity from Orange City last March and were former residents of this vicinity. Those in the Hawarden Independent (Oct. 10) and the Alton Democrat (Oct. 18) also say the family were formerly of the Orange City vicinity.

His death certificate (informant Peter Meendering) has Robert John Meendering, born April 29, 1928 in rural Orange City; parents Peter Meendering, born in Holland, and Alice Lunstra, born in Boyden, Iowa; resident of rural area 2 miles west of Inwood, Lyon County for 7-1/2 months; died at 4:00 p.m. October 7, 1940; cause: accident, car on highway which struck him while on his bicycle, skull and leg fracture.

His FindaGrave.com page also has him as Robert John and adds his burial place, Richland Cemetery, Inwood; parents’ full names and dates – Peter Meendering (1896-1970) and Alice Patricia Luinstra Meendering (1902-1989); and a photo of his headstone.