----Source: Wednesday, March 24, 2004, Clark County Press

Loyal man dies in car-train crash

A 52-year-old Loyal man was killed last week when the car he was driving was struck by a train in northeastern Clark County.

The accident occurred about 11: 15 a.m. March 17, on Badger Avenue just south of 153 Road in the Township of Unity.

According to a press release from the Clark-County Sheriff's Department investigating the incident, preliminary reports indicated that Roger D. Wehe was driving his car southbound on Badger Avenue as a Canadian - National train was approaching. He attempted braking his vehicle but was unable to stop before being struck by the train.

The train signal at the crossing was a simple cross-buck sign having no warning lights or barricades.

According to investigating officers, the train had been approaching the intersection at a speed of 58 mph. The speed of the train at the time of impact was unknown.

The speed of Wehe's car prior to impact was also unknown. However, it was determined that, due to his inability to stop on the icy road surface, Wehe appeared to be traveling too fast for conditions.

The front of the train struck the front of Wehe's vehicle. Wehe, who was alone, was thrown from the car by the force of the collision. The vllage of Spencer ambulance service transported him to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. He was later pronounced dead of massive head injuries.

Wehe is Clark County's first traffic fatality of the year.

Family Notes:

His date of birth was Feb. 05, 1952. He is the son of Eugene Wehe and Alice Schmidtke.

Eugene Wehe (birth: Jan 1, 1915 in York Township, Clark Co., Wis.) Alice Schmidtke (birth: Dec. 13, 1922 in Fremont Township, Clark Co., Wis.) (death: Dec. ??, 1991 in Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) The couple married in Bakerville, Clark Co., Wis. on Feb. 20, 1940)

"Tony" was the second spouse of Julia (nee Scheel) Kippenhan, the widow of my uncle Paul Kippenhan. Roger was the nephew of Alton "Tony" Schmidtke, and the step- nephew of Julia (nee Scheel) Kippenhan Schmidtke. Julia was the widow of my uncle Paul Kippenhan.

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Wednesday, March 24, 2004, Tribune - Record - Gleaner

Roger Wehe

Roger D. Wehe, 52, Loyal, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004, as the result of a vehicle train collision near Unity. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 20, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Roman Kaiser officiated. Full military rites were conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Pallbearers were John Bowe, James Elsinger, John Nelson, Marvin Miller, Roger Ellison, and Neil Bowe. Honorary pallbearers were John Pernsteiner, Larry Bowe, Lawrie Beaver, and Dean Beaver.

Roger Dale Wehe was born on Feb. 5, 1952, in Loyal, to Gene and Alice (Schmidtke) Wehe. He attended school in Loyal and then entered the United States Army in 1970. He married Katherine Revord on Nov. 9, 1974, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. They resided in Loyal until the time of his death. He worked at Lato Construction, Grassland Dairy, Blue Chip Feed Mill, and as a graderman for the Town of Loyal and was currently a patrolman for the Town of Sherman. He was a loving husband, wonderful grandpa, and friend to many. He enjoyed fishing trips to Minnesota, the Green Bay Packers, and great Saturday adventures with his good friends.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 29 years, Katherine "Kitten" Wehe, Loyal; his son, Robert (Lanell) Wehe, Greenwood; his father, Gene Wehe, Loyal; three grandchildren, Zachary, Michael, and Shana Wehe, all of Greenwood; his siblings, Eugene, Jr. (Carol) Wehe, Juneau, Alaska, Bill Wehe, Long Beach, Calif., Mike (Mai) Wehe, Janesville, Dick Wehe, Montello, Kathy Niswonger, Charlotte, North Carolina, Margaret (Henry) Scheel, Marshfield, Jim Wehe, Garden Grove, Calif., David (Wendy) Wehe, Ft. Atkinson, and Duane Wehe, Manawa.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Alice Wehe, on Dec. 10, 1991; his brothers, Robert Wehe in 1963, and Kenneth Wehe, in 1953; and his sisters Shirley Day in 1998, and Karen Wehe, in 1947.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.