Obit: Ellenbecker, Barry (1957 – 1974)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ellenbecker, Andrews, Lulloff, Birkett, Rushman

---------Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 14 Nov 1974

Ellenbecker, Barry (6 JUL 1957 – 9 NOV 1974)

Two teenagers, both seniors at Colby High School, were found dead in a parked car Saturday, the victims of accidental carbon monoxide.

They were Barry Ellenbecker, route 1, Unity, and Janice Andrews, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Andrew, route 1, Colby.

Their parents had reported them missing when they did not return home Friday night.

The car was discovered at the entrance to a gravel pit about four miles west of Colby. A truck driver discovered the bodies about 11 a.m. Saturday and notified Willis Birkett, Colby Township Chairman, who in turn alerted Clark County authorities.

Robert Lulloff, Clark County Coroner, said fumes appeared to have leaked into the car from a faulty exhaust pipe connection. The motor was still running when the bodies were found, but the gasoline tank was almost empty.

Combined funeral services for Barry Ellenbecker and Janice Andrews were held Tuesday a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby with the Rev. Francis P. Rushman, pastor, officiating.

Commitment services for Barry Ellenbecker took place in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, and burial of Janice Andrew was made in the Colby Memorial Cemetery.

Barry Ellenbecker, a senior at Colby High School, was born in the village of Unity (Clark Co., Wis.) on July 6, 1957 (Obit says 1959). He was a four-year member of the Colby Chapter of the Future Farmers of America, and also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.