PECK, Francis: Died 1975

PECK, TONKINSEN, REED, JOHNSON, MINEART, ALLERDICE, MILLER, BEVERLIN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/12/2021 at 18:18:22

Milton Man Killed In Rock Quarry Explosion: 1975

Francis Peck, 49, was killed Friday morning Nov. 14 when a stationary diesel motor on a rock crusher exploded. He was operating the machinery at a quarry near Memphis, Mo., and was dead on arrival at the Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital at Kirksville.

The machinery was owned by the Kaser Construction Co. of Eddyville. Officials said employes had difficulty getting the motor started because of ice in the governor. They removed the ice and the motor speed kept increasing until the explosion. Others left the scene when the motor speed increased but Peck stayed with the machine and tried to get the motor to shut off. He was struck at the waist by the explosion, according to officials.

The Scotland County sheriff's office reported, "It was not negligence on anybody's part, he just stayed with the machine a little too long."

FRANCIS PECK

Francis Peck was born June 20, 1926, in Jefferson Count, to Anthony and Bertha Peck. He married Melvia Tonkinsen May 31, 1948, who survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Bertha Peck of Fairfield; two sons, Edward and Don and four daughters, Deborah, Pamela, Karen and Bonnie, all at home; seven sisters, Mrs. Louise Reed of Richland, Marcella Peck of Galesburg, Ill., Donna Johnson of Packwood, Ethel Mineart, Joanne Allerdice, Shirley Miller, and Lucille Beverlin, all of Fairfield; and three brothers, Clifford of Galesburg, Ill., Harley of Stockport and Larry of Fairfield.

he was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Church of Bloomfield, Russell-Strait Legion Post and the Milton Fire Department. He had served four years in the Navy.

The funeral was Monday, Nov. 1975 at 10 a.m. at the St. Mary Magdalen Church, Bloomfield with the Rev. E. William Kaska. The Rosary was recited Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wellborn Funeral Home in Milton.

Burial was in the Sunnyside Cemetery at Milton.

Source: "The Hazel Stanford Obituary Collection", Pg. 151, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA