Surnames: Kowieski, Ryneck, Herman

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 08/09/1951

Kowieski, John #2 (12 MAY 1939 - 5 AUG 1951)

John Kowieski, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kowieski, Chicago, formerly of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), was killed while riding a bicycle one and one-half miles north of Thorp on Highway 73, Sunday.

The boy was visiting his grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Herman and Mrs. and Mrs. Paul Kowieski, Sr., in Thorp for the summer. He is survived by one brother and one sister.

Bergemann appointed a corner’s jury consisted of Earl Peterson, Woodrow Peterson, James Christemen, Roland Haire, John Blunch and Tony Auberg, all Withee men, to investigate the accident.

The jury examined the body at the Thorp Funeral Home Monday morning and went to the scene of the accident about 10 a.m. No definite time has been set for an inquest.

Ronald Ryneck, 12, cousin of the victim, was accompanying the victim on his bicycle at the time of the accident. He told Clark County authorities that his cousin had been severely reprimanded by a milk truck driver just before the accident. John had swerved his bike in front of the milk truck, causing it to stop, the boy reported.

After the tongue lashing by the driver, Kowieski tok Ryneck that he had often done the same think in Chicago. Lencz reported the same kind of action on the part of the boy. He told authorities he honked his horn repeatedly when approaching the pair on the bike and was unable to stop when the bike swerved in front of him. Lorris Dusso, county traffic officer, Monday, was attempting to locate the milk truck driver to verify Ryneck’s story.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday from St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, Thorp. After the mass the body was shipped to Chicago for services at St. Fidelis Church, Burial will be in Chicago.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kowieski, Chicago, formerly of Thorp; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herman and Mrs. and Mrs. Paul Kowieski Sr., Thorp, and two brothers, Jule and James.