Obit: Calhoun, Claron (1914 - 1937)

Contact: History Buffs
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Calhoun, McCaniel

----Sources: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 09/02/1937

Calhoun, Claron (20 NOV 1914 - 31 AUG 1937)

Claron Calhoun, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Calhoun of Withee (Clark Co., Wis.), died Tuesday evening at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, from burn received in a gasoline explosion on the O.A. Ammentorp farm, two miles south of Withee.

Claron, who was working for Stanley Michkowski of the Texaco Service Station was filling a tank on the Ammentorp farm when the fumes ignited, causing fatal burns. The accident happened about 9:30 Tuesday morning. He was immediately rushed to Dr. Dike at Owen by Harold Christensen, a rural mail carrier, who was coming along his route and saw the accident. He was given medical treatment here and then taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital at Chippewa Falls.

With his clothing ablaze, Claron, ran about half a block before some men reached him and tore off his blazing garments, but he was so badly seared that he succumbed about 7:40 that evening. What caused the gasoline fumes to ignite is not known. The tank did not explode, although the rear tires of the truck were scorched and the truck tank was burned.

Funeral services will be conducted from the Griebenow-Weirich funeral parlors, Friday afternoon at two o’clock. Burial will be made in the Riverside Cemetery.

(Follow on in 9/9/1937 Owen Enterprise)

Claran C. Calhoun, second oldest son of Alva and Lydia Calhoun, was born in the city of Clinton, Vernon Co. on the 20th day of Nov. 1914.

At the age of two years he moved with his parents to the City of Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), residing in this community until the time of his death, which occurred August 31, 1938, at the age of 22 years, 8 months and 11 days.

His sudden and untimely passing shocked and grieved the hearts of his people, his countless friends and acquaintances, but leaving a memory always to be cherished of his splendid manhood and unselfishness to others at all times.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, father, three brothers and three sisters. His brothers, Carrol of Withee, Owen of Mendota, Minn., and Max of Laona; his sisters, Phyllis, Virginia Mae and Beverly, all of Withee. He leaves also two grandmothers, Mrs. F.S. Mcaniel of Cashton, AND Mrs. Mary Calhoun of Westby, together with a number of more distant relatives and a host of friends.

Claran was always brilliant and quick of mind, open of heart and soul, ready to understand and assist anyone in need of help or comfort. Because of this understanding and unflinching generosity, his presence will be more sadly missed by all who shared his loyalty and friendship.

The earlier part of his life was spent at his home with his parents as a trustworthy and obedient son, later on to take up various occupations until at last he was employed by Stanley Michkowski as his distributor in this territory, proving himself capable and reliant at all times. Now his fellow men bow their heads in tears and sorrow that all this should come to pass through no fault of his own.

Funeral services were conducted on Friday afternoon at the Griebenow-Weirich Funeral Home in Owen with Rev. Fredrick officiating. Interment was made in Riverside Cemetery.

Pallbearers were: Royal Bacon, Marin Ryona, Eino Ristola, Peter Jensen, Alfred Hauschildt and Raymond Rogalski.