Obit: Wry, John (1898 - 1960)

Surnames: Wry, Morrow, Purkis

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Monday, 23 May 1960

Wry, John (7 Jan. 1898 - 22 May 1960)

A 62-year-old Spencer man, John Wry, died Sunday morning in a two-car crash on Highway 13, eight miles south of Marshfield.

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Monday, 23 May 1960

A Spencer man was killed instantly and four other persons injured in a two-car crash on Highway 13, about 8 miles south of Marshfield at 8:25 a.m. Sunday.

Dead is John Wry, 62, driver of one of the autos.

His wife, Laura, 55, and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morrow, 907 W. Arnold St., all passengers in the Wry auto, were rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment. Also being treated at the hospital is Delbert Purkis, 19, Tomah, the driver of the other vehicle who was alone.

Mrs. Wry suffered cuts and bruises, and a lacerated lip. Authorities said she will probably be discharged from the hospital today. Morrow, 32, sustained bruises to his face and a possible skull fracture. He is being held for observation and his condition is reported as, “fairly good.”

Morrow’s wife, Mabel, 32, suffered severe lacerations and fractures to her face and fractures to her left wrist and hand. Purkis received a cut to his face, head, fractured left ribs and a possible spleen injury.

Morrow, employed as a compositor for the News-Herald, was a passenger in the right front seat and was thrown from the Wry auto. The women occupied the rear seat of the auto.

Wood County authorities, who pronounced Wry dead at the scene, said he died of a broken neck. Both vehicles were declared total wrecks. Investigating officers said the Wry auto was traveling south and Purkis, driving north, was passing an unidentified milk truck at the time of the crash.

The accident which occurred on a straight, flat section of highway, resulted in Wood County’s fifth traffic fatality of 1960.

Authorities said this morning it has not yet been determined if there will be an inquest. Funeral arrangements for Mr. Wry are in charge of the Jasperson Funeral Home, Spencer. Services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. W. R. Krueger officiating.

Burial will be in Thorp cemetery.

The deceased, who was born Jan. 7, 1898, was employed by the Spencer Milk Products Co.