Surnames: Szpara

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 09/14/1944

Szpara, John Kasimir (6 May 1886 - 12 Sept. 1944)

John Szpara of the Town of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), was instantly killed by a bolt of lightning during a storm about six o’clock Tuesday evening while seeking refuge in the basement of his home with his wife.

The lightning followed the chimney to the stove in the room under which he was standing and struck him in the head. Mrs. Szpara was stunned but unhurt. The rest of the family were elsewhere in the house. The bolt tore a hole in the roof near the chimney but no fire or other damage was done.

This is the second death from lightning in this part of the country during the past four months. Charley Hoeck was killed at his home in Taft on May 31st.