Obit: Flink, James C. (1948 - 1974)

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Surnames: FLINK GONSHOROWSKI LULLOFF BERTZ PODEVELS SRAFIN PRIMLEY CLOUD MUELLER RAATZ SCHILLING STUTTGEN VENROOY NEUMANN MESSER

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) July 1974

Flink, James C. (9 Sept. 1948 - 7 July 1974)

Curtiss - James C. Flink, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Flink, route 2, Colby, was killed Sunday night - his body charred beyond recognition - when the motorcycle which he was operating was involved in a collision with a pickup truck.

The crash occurred about 9:45 p.m. on Highway 29, nearly 1,100 feet east of the intersection with Clark County Highway E at Curtiss Corners.

The driver of the truck, Mrs. Laura A. Gonshorowski, 19, route 1, Owen, suffered minor injuries. Passengers in the truck were Mrs. Gonshorowski’s husband, Roman who was unhurt, and a 4-month-old daughter of the couple who suffered a bump on the head. The mother and child were treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield and released.

Clark County authorities, in a preliminary investigation, learned that the motorcycle being operated by Flink had just entered Highway 29 from Highway E and was headed east when the crash occurred with the westbound Gonshorowski truck.

At the point of impact, according to authorities, the truck appeared to be in the eastbound lane, but a further investigation to determine evidence on that point is still underway, Robert Lulloff, Clark County coroner, said this morning.

The crash split the motorcycle in two pieces. Flink managed to cling to the seat of the vehicle but "was burned beyond recognition," officials said.

Investigating the scene, in addition to Lulloff, were Sheriff David Bertz, Deputy Sheriff Albert Podevels, and Clark County Traffic Officer Frank Srafin.

Flink’s death was the fourth this year on Clark County highways.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity with the Rev. James Primley, pastor, officiating. Internment will be made in the church cemetery.

Friends may call beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Lulloff Funeral Home, Colby.

Mr. Flink was born in Marshfield on Sept. 9, 1948, attended schools in Unity and was a graduate of the Colby, Wis. High School. He had been employed in construction work in Tampa, Fla.

He was a member of the National Guard and of Trinity Lutheran Church.

In addition to his parents, survivors include a daughter, Laura Flink, Milwaukee; five brothers, Robert and Richard, both of Ft. Bragg, N.C., Jerry, route 1, Abbotsford, Ronald, Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and Jack and Kevin, at home; and two sisters, Karen and Kristine, both at home.

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) 07/11/1974

Colby - Services for James C. Flink, 25, of route 2, Colby, fatally injured in a motorcycle - truck crash Sunday night, were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity.

Officiating at the Wednesday service was the Rev. James Primley, pastor, and internment was made in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Randy Cloud, Jim Mueller, Lee Raatz, Terry Schilling, Tony Stuttgen and Kenny Ven Rooy.

Members of the Otto H. Kops American Legion Post No. 358 served as honor guard.

The vocalist Mrs. Duane Neumann, was accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Ansel Messer.