Surnames: Vander Wegen, Seldon, Denys, Springer, Johnson, Devine

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 02/17/1944

Vander Wegen, Thomas (21 JUL 1891 - 3 FEB 1944)

Thos. Vander Wegen, 52, was instantly killed when struck by a westbound lone engine on the Soo Line railroad crossing here (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) at 10:00 o’clock Thursday morning, Feb. 3rd, 1944.

The accident occurred on the east crossing on Washington St. when he was returning from the post office and bound for his home. Those who saw the accident said that he evidently was looking downward when crossing the track but attempted to back off when he saw the locomotive. Mr. Vander Wegen lost his hearing completely during sickness about 1 ½ years ago. The body was thrown or dragged just west of the crossing across the street, about 60 feet.

There was no inquest. Death was said to be from a skull fracture and he also suffered fracture of the right arm and both legs were crushed.

Thomas came to Thorp in 1920 and maintained a barber shop here until his death.

He was born in Green Bay, Wis., on July 21, 1891. He moved to a farm south of Withee with his parents in 1908 and in 1917 enlisted in the armed forces in World War I.

In Sept. 1931 he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Seldon at Thorp, who with three sons, are left to mourn. Seldon, 21, now in the army stationed at San Diego, was able to be here for the funeral services. Wright, 20, is with the Navy in India and Francis, 17, also in the Navy, is somewhere in the South Pacific.

Also surviving are two brothers, Gust and Clarence Vander Wegen of Eau Claire; four sisters, Mrs. Aloysle (Nettie) Denys of Green Bay, Mrs. Nellie Springer of Beloit, Mrs. Chester (Louise) Johnson of Green Bay and Mrs. James (Ida) Devine of Withee.

Tom, as he was called by all who knew him, was a man of generous nature and always ready to lend a helping hand. He was an active member of the local Post of the American Legion and Catholic Order of Foresters.

Last rites for the deceased were conducted by Father. A.M. Muckerheide at St. Bernard’s Church at 9:30 o’clock Tuesday morning with interment taking place in the parish cemetery. The Catholic Foresters organization and American Legion attended the services in a body, accompanying the remains to the grave where military honors were accorded with a salute by the firing squad and sounding of Taps. Pallbearers were Aug. Velcheck, Bruno Lis, Lawrence Van Loo, Joe Baldeschwiler….(the rest of my copy was cut off)