Obit: Tilch, Francis John (1945 - 1963*)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Block, Heffernan, Hraby, Kenney, Klemm, Ludwig, Neddo, Resech, Szomi

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 07/05/1963

Tilch, Francis (14 JUN 1945 - 5 JUL 1963*)

Death notices obtained from the Medford High School, Class of 1963 Index of Kay (Resech) Ludwig.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at Holy Rosary Catholic church here for Francis Tilch, 18 year old youth who lost his life Friday in a one-car crash 1 ¼ miles north of Medford n highway 13. Serviced were conducted by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Leo Block and burial took place n Medford Catholic cemetery.

The youth, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Tilch, Medford, was alone, driving south at 12:50 a.m., when his car ran off the roadway on the left side. The 1963 model car struck a culvert in a private driveway and rolled over. State patrolman Tim Heffernan, who came upon the accident shortly after it occurred, stated that the youth was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial hospital where he was taken by county ambulance. Injuries included concussion, chest injuries and a possible fractured neck.

The highway death brings the county toll for 1963 to four traffic fatalities.

The body lay in state at Ruesch funeral home from Monday noon until Tuesday morning Parish and Knights of Columbus rosary services were conducted Monday night.

Francis John Tilch, who had been employed at Handel Motor Co., Medford, since graduation last spring, was born June 14, 1945, in the town of Greenwood. He attended Rib Lake and Medford public schools, graduating from Medford high school.

In addition to his parents, Francis is survived by five brothers and seven sisters. They are Bernard, Ervin and John of Milwaukee, Melvin of Rib Lake, Harvey who serves with an Army unity in Korea, Mary Ann, Mrs. Ralph Klemm, Menomonee Falls; Rosella, Mrs. Alvin Neddo, Malta, Idaho; Lillian, Mrs. Irving Klemm, Menomonee Falls; Delores, Mrs. Gene Kenney, Milwaukee, Marcella, Mrs. Joe Hraby, Stetsonville; Cecelia, Mrs. Frank Szomi, Medford and Miss Margori Tilch, Milwaukee.

Note: * Death date information obtained from the Wisconsin Death Index.