Obit: George, Ray #2 (1946? - 1963)

Contact stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: George, Zaborowski, Laufenberg, Niggemann

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 11/28/1963

George, Ray (1946? - 23 NOV 1963)

Thirteen hunters, including one from Carl County and another from Taylor County, are dead on the first two days of Wisconsin’s nine-day 1963 deer hunting season.

Four of the victims, including both of those from central Wisconsin, died of gunshot wounds, and nine suffered heart attack in the woods, one near Neillsville.

Killed by gunshot the opening weekend were Ray George, 17, Owen (Clark Co., Wis.); Way Zaborowski, Lublin in Taylor County; Robert Laufenberg, 16, Alma Center, and William Niggemann, 40, of Westboro.

The Owen youth was killed Saturday, shortly after opening of the season, in Clark County’s town of Washburn. A Madison hunter, Rick Lemke, tol Conservation warden Arthur Schroeder and officials of the sheriff’s department:

“I was standing about 300 to 350 feet from the lad when I heard a shot, then a second shot. The youth yelled “help, I’m shot, I’m shot.” The boy was still standing when I ran to his aid. On my way to his side I saw him bend down, the he fell over. I yelled for more help. I saw two fellows, one dressed in yellow and another in red. They ignored my cries for help and walked quickly off into the woods. My partner then came tot eh scene and he ran for more aid.”

The bullet which killed young George entered his body in the back, just under his license tag number, and penetrated his body, coming out in the upper chest and shoulder area. A tractor and eight men were required to bring the body out of the woods.

Funeral services for the youth were held in St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church in Owen at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burial was in the Colby Cemetery.

Ray was a sophomore student at Owen-Withee High Senior High School. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. William George. The father is a pharmacist at Owen.

The Georges are former residents of Gilman, where Mr. George operated a drug store.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by five brothers, William Jr., stationed in Germany with the armed forces; Gregory, Thomas, Brian and Ward, at home.