Raymond C. Memmer
Killed in Truck-Train Crash At Francisco Crossing
A
Francisco man became Gibson county’s 14th
traffic fatality of the year when his 1966 one-ton truck was struck by a
Southern Railroad train at
Raymond C.
Memmer, 54, was killed instantly as the train struck
his truck and knocked it 500 feet south into a ditch. Cause of death was a
massive skull fracture according to Robert Wade, county coroner, who assisted
state troopers and members of the sheriff’s department in the investigation.
The
accident occurred at the south edge of Francisco on highway 64. It is believed
that the bright sun may have blinded Memmer, who was
traveling east on the highway. The flasher signal which was working was torn
down from the impact.
Two
wreckers were used to pull the truck from the ditch which was approximately 10
feet deep. Memmer was pinned in the wreckage for a least one and one-half hours as workers struggled to
free him. Death apparently occurred instantly.
The
Southern train, engine No. 2076, which was pulling 34 cars southward, received
entire front end damage to the engine. Jesse Hall, Huntingburg, engineer, said
he didn’t see the truck until it was on the tracks. Robert E. Deutsch,
Owensville, was the conductor. Brakemen on the train were Larry Gullett, Wadesville, and Joe Cochran,
Arrangements
are pending at Kendall Funeral Home.
*******************
Services Set Sunday For
Ray Memmer
Raymond C.
Memmer, 54, Route 2, Francisco died Thursday morning
at
He is
survived by his wife, Freda A. and his mother, Mrs. Mary Memmer
of Princeton; Three sons, Eddie Ray, USMC, N.C.; Jim, USMC, Vietnam; John at
home; five daughters, Miss Betty and Nancy Memmer of
Princeton; Mrs. June White of Patoka; Misses Donna and Rose Mary Memmer at home. Four brothers,, Clarence and Adrin of Buckskin; Norman of St. Louis, Elmer (Dick) of
Princeton; six sisters, Mrs. Velma Hamilton of Francisco; Mrs. Hazel Klusmeier of Princeton; Mrs. Martha Pugh of Fort Branch;
Mrs. Ida Mae Muller of Mt. Vernon; Mrs. Ruth Spindler
and Mrs. Dorothy Spindler of Haubstadt; and several
nieces and nephews.
Mr. Memmer was born in Buckskin,
Services
will be held at
Mr. Memmer is at the Kendall Funeral Home where friends may
call after
jed