Obit: Powszukiewicz, Adam W. (1919 - 1960)

Contact: Stan

Surnames: Powszukiewicz, Wilczek

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 09/15/1960

Powszukiewicz, Adam W. (22 DEC 1919 - 9 SEP 1960)

A rural Stanley man became Eau Claire County’s first 1960 traffic fatality early Friday morning when his eastbound car collided head on into a westbound truck on Hwy. 12 at CTH A about two miles east of Hwy 53.

Adam W. Powszukiewicz, 40, Rt. 3 Stanley, was apparently killed instantly, County Traffic Officer Elmer Behrens said.  The officer was on the accident scene moments after it occurred.

Judging from the wreckage and position of the vehicles, Behrens said the car hit the left front end of the truck head on in the truck’s traffic lane.  The accident occurred about 12:59 a.m.

Gas tanks on both vehicles had split open and gasoline covered the road around each vehicle.  A fire had broken out on top of what was left of the car’s engine when the officer arrived, but he was able to put it out before it spread to the gasoline.

When he first looked into the car, Behrens said, he couldn’t see the driver.  The body was wedged down on the floor with the back of the front seat and dashboard pushed close together.

Coroner Dr. A.F. hag said death was due to the violence of the collision.  Powszukiewicz suffered broken legs and other severe injuries, he said.  No autopsy was ordered.

Edward J. Cournoyer, 57, Marshfield, was the delivering bakery goods to the Serv-U Bakery in Eau Claire from Appleton.  He was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of injuries.

The truck driver suffered a fracture left ankle, several small lacerations and teeth knocked out in the collision.

There was an estimated $1,000 damages to the left front of the truck.  There was no immediate estimate of damages to the bakery goods.  The ’50 model two door car was demolished.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Connie Chilicki at St. Hedwig’s Church ere at ten o’clock on Monday morning, Sept. 12^th, for Adam W. Powszukiewicz, 40, who died at Eau Claire Friday, Sept. 9, 1960, at 1:00 a.m., the result of an automobile accident on Highway 12.  He was born at Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.) on Dec. 22, 1919.

Mr. Powszukiewicz lived with his brother Joseph on a farm near Stanley.  He was a veteran of World War II, and military rites were conducted by Cecil Tormey Post 118 of the Thorp American Legion at the grave side with a salute by a firing squad and the sounding of taps.

Surviving him are his mother, Mrs. Alex Powszukiewicz, Stanley, three brothers, Frank of Milwaukee, Jerry of Fond du Lac and Joseph of Stanley, two sisters, Mrs. Rose Wilczek of Thorp and Sister Mary Francine of Stevens Point.

Interment took place in St. Hedwig’s Cemetery with members of the American Legion Post serving as pallbearers: Frank Sierocuk, Harry Badzinski, Clyde Misfeldt, Wm. S. Wagner, Stanley Herman and Cyril Alger.