Obit: Tomczak, Clarence (1944 - 1963)

Contact stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Tomczak, Morrison, Purkapile

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 06/06/1963

Tomczak, Clarence (1944 - 4 JUN 1963)

A rural Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.) youth was killed instantly and two other youths are in the hospital with injuries as the result of an accident which occurred Tuesday night near Butlerville.

Dead is Clarence Tomczak, 18, route 3, Thorp, from injuries to the chest and a fracture skull.

Injured is the driver, Thomas Morrison, 19, route 3, Thorp. His injuries are reported to be to the back, arm and chest.

Also injured is another passenger, Ray Purkapile, 20, route 3, Thorp. The extent of his injuries is unknown upon the Thorp Courier going to press Wednesday morning.

Traffic officers reported the accident apparently occurred when Morrison, driving a 1953 mercury, lost control of the car, rolled over about three times along the shoulder of the road and ditch for about 87 feet.

The accident occurred at about 10:00 o’clock Tuesday evening, 10 miles south and three-quarters of a mile west of Thorp on a town road. Traffic officials stated the car was going east following the youths visit to a beer bar in the Rock Dam area. They estimated that the speed of the car at the time of the accident as being about 60 miles an hour.

It is reported that following the accident, Purkapile, although injured, walked a half mile to a farm home to call for help.

Dr. Johnson of Withee pronounced Tomczak dead at the scene of the accident. He was taken to the Thorp Funeral Home by the concern’s hearse.

Both Morrison and Purkapile were taken to the Memorial Hospital in Stanley by the Thorp Ambulance, driven by fireman Jack Boardman and Ted Meyer.

Investigating the accident were Coroner Robert Lulloff, Undersheriff Pat McIntyre, Traffic Officer Dave Bertz and Thorp Police Chief Ed Harycki.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 7th at St. Hedwig’s Chapel at 10:00 a.m. Rosary service will be held Thursday, June 6th at 8:00 p.m. The body will lie in state staring Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.