Salamonia Man Killed

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, February 28, 1974, page 1.

3^rd ’74 traffic fatality

Salamonia man killed

Jay County recorded its second traffic fatality within the past two weeks, and its third of the year, when a 24-year-old Salamonia resident, Larry LeMaster, was killed in a crushing one-car accident on County Road 130 early this afternoon.

According to Jay County Sherriff Harold Loy, who’s heading the investigation, he was notified of the accident at 7:50 a.m.  He said LeMaster was found dead in the back seat of his late-model auto.

Loy said it appeared to him LeMaster, who was a Ball State University senior, had been dead for “approximately three to four hours” before police were notified.  He said the accident happened 2 ¼ miles east of the Lower Salamonie Church.

The LeMaster auto, said Loy, was located in a ditch next to a large tree, which had apparently been struck head on.  He said the force of the impact sent the driver against the windshield and then back into the backseat.  The vehicle was considered a total loss.

Loy said death may have been instantaneous, but a coroner’s examination was delayed until after noon because Jay County Coroner, Dr. James Fitzpatrick, is out of the state, and Deputy Coroner, Dr. R.E. Schenck, was in surgery.

No details of the report have been released at this time, although LeMaster’s body was taken to the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in Portland, where it was to be examined.  LeMaster was to be transferred to the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home, which is handling funeral arrangements.

Assisting Loy on the accident investigation are Jay County Police Captain George Meehan, and First Lt. Jerry Bell; Police Reserves: Gerald Jellison, Charles Frasher, and Floyd Life; and Indiana State Police Trooper, Walter Boguske.

Born June 8, 1949 in Portland, LeMaster, the son of John L. LeMaster Jr. and Helen (Pease) LeMaster.  On Aug. 31, 1968, he was married to Jean Shreeve.  A member of the Indiana National Guard, LeMaster belonged to the Salamonia Christian Church.  He was also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.

Surviving besides his wife are one daughter, Lisa, and two sons, Dean and Shane, all at home; his mother, Mrs. Helen LeMaster, RR 6, Portland; four brothers, Leland LeMaster, RR 6, Portland; Terry LeMaster, RR 2, Winchester; Douglas LeMaster, Salamonia, and his twin, Gary LeMaster, Warsaw; one sister, Mrs. William (Kay) Addington, RR 6, Portland, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John L. LeMaster Sr., Salamonia.

Funeral services are set for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home with Paul Albertson, Port Jefferson, Ohio, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery.

Callers will be received at the funeral home after 3 p.m. Friday.

Planting Cousin Bait

I’ve been planning out some post-dated blog posts for the upcoming New Year, planting cousin bait.  The posts are set up to be published each day, giving details regarding relatives in my family tree database, such as who was born, married or died on a particular day.

My hope is that by getting these small posts out there each day, others who are searching for these individuals will find my blog through the search engines.   In return, perhaps I will meet some new cousins and gain even more information about the family.

In doing so, I’ve discovered that for way too many individuals, I only have dates of birth, etc. and not places.  This is something I need to work on going forward.  Better documentation will help clear up unresolved family mysteries.

The first of these posts is set to start out January 1.  

FindAGrave Success: John Lawrence Metzner (1877-1898)

Thanks to a FindAGrave volunteer, Lulabell, who took the picture of the John Lawrence METZNER (1877-1898) tombstone in the Green Park Cemetery, Portland, Indiana.  


John Lawrence was the son of William H. and Angeline (MEAD) METZNER.  He was born October 18, either in 1877 or 1878, depending on the source.  His obituary states 1877, but Williamson & Spencer Funeral home record book stated 1878 (could have been typo).  

 Jane Ann Spencer, Williamson & Spencer Funeral Homes, Inc. Portland and Pennville, Indiana Burial Records Book One 1892-1899 (Portland, Indiana, USA: Williamson & Spencer Funeral Homes, Inc., 2008)

J. L. Metzner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Metzner, was born October 18, 1877; died at the home of his parents, in South Portland, August 30, 1898, aged 20 years, 10 months and 12 days.  Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the First Christian Church by Rev. Stovenour.  Interment at Green Park Cemetery.

J. Lawrence, son of William H. and Angeline Metzner, was born in Portland, Indiana, October 18, 1878 and died at the home of his parents 247 Shanks Street, South Portland August 30th, 1898, aged 20 years, 10 months and 12 days.

Thus death has again entered a family circle and claimed an only son and brother, leaving empty hearts and an empty home.  Lawrence was industrious and obliging and greatly loved by his many friends.  He was patient and hopeful during his long illness and was never known to murmur or complain and with his mother, who was his daily companion, he had many long talks on the life beyond.  For several weeks before the end came he gave up all hope of recovery.  Although he had gone on before they have one lasting comfort and blessing, even in this sad dark hour when they remember he said, "All is well with my soul."  They may not see his well known form nor hear the welcome footsteps through the home is empty and hearts bowed in grief, yet they know he is not dead, but sleeping, and where he is they may go also, because the Lord has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

Funeral services at the First Christian Church, at 3 o'clock, Friday, September 2nd, conducted by Rev. Fred Stovenour.  Interment at Green Park Cemetery.