Obit: Horvat, Joe (1910 - 1936)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: HORVAT

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner 8/13/1936

WILLARD YOUNG MAN DIES BY OWN HAND

The body of Joe Horvat, 25, was found in the woods not far from his home south of Willard, Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, 1936 by John Horvat, a brother.

Joe, who disappeared from his home Monday afternoon had evidently committed suicide with a 16 gauge shotgun, sitting against an oak tree while he discharged the gun with a stick which still remained in the trigger guard.

The charge passed through his left breast, near the heart, killing him instantly. No motive for suicide has been discovered.

Horvat, a son of Mrs. Hohanna Horvat, a widow, occasionally left home and did not return until the next morning, members of the family said, hence his disappearance did not alarm them until he failed to reappear Tuesday morning.

The brother, John, set out in search of him and learned from a neighbor, Mrs. Fred Schiltz, that she had heard a shot about 4 p.m. Monday.

Coroner P. C. Ludovic was called from Neillsville to investigate the death, which was pronounced a suicide.

Horvat was born in Aspen, Col. Nov. 19, 1910. He is survived by his mother, two brothers, John and Rudolph, at home and three sisters, Jennie and Helen, at home and Mary, who live at West Allis.

Funeral services will be held from Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard, Thursday morning at 10:00 o'clock.

His father preceded him in death two years ago.