Princeton, Indiana Daily Clarion Newspaper, Thursday October 26, 1967

 

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 8 a.m. Thursday in Francisco.

 

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, Princeton.

 

Arrangements are pending at Kendall Funeral Home.

 

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Princeton, Indiana Daily Clarion Newspaper, Friday October 27, 1967

 

Services Set Sunday For Ray Memmer

 

Raymond C. Memmer, 54, Route 2, Francisco died Thursday morning at 8 a.m. in a truck train accident on Francisco Road 64.

 

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, April 19, 1913, and had been a lifetime resident of this community. He was a farmer and a member of St. Lucas United Church of Christ.

 

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Lucas United Church of Christ. Rev. Craig Reed will officiate. Burial will be in St. Lucas Cemetery.

 

Mr. Memmer is at the Kendall Funeral Home where friends may call after 3 p.m. Saturday.

 

jed