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Obituary- Simecka, Frank 2

FRANK SIMECKA KILLED BY FREIGHT
AT DELIA COSSING LAST FRIDAY

17 May 1951
Frank Simecka, 74, was killed instantly last Friday afternoon when he was struck by a Union Pacific freight train at Delia. The accident occurred just west of the depot in Delia about 4:30 p.m.

Simecka, according to Jackson county sheriff White, and Undersheriff Johnson, who investigated the accident, had been uptown in Delia and were returning to his home. He stopped at the railroad crossing and remarked to a witness there that the freight seemed to be approaching “awfully fast.” He then turned and started walking east on the tracks ahead of the oncoming train.

The freight struck him 60 feet beyond the street crossing and carried him for 63 feet before throwing him 14 feet clear of the tracks. The tragedy was witnessed by Clinton Kerwin, Charles Stegman and Charles Kolbek, who tried to grab him from the train’s path. The impact of the engine tore him from the hands of the would-be rescuers and carried him on down the track. The locomotive threw him clear of the track and he was not run over by the train.

Simecka had been in good health and there was nothing to indicate a suicide attempt. His hearing was good and the remark he made at the crossing indicates he was aware of the train’s approach.

The body was taken to the Verschelden Funeral Home at St. Marys.

Services were held Monday at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Delia. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery at St. Marys. The pallbearers were: John L. Simecka, Emil Martinek, Ted Dolezilek, of Rossville; Bob Simecka, Art Simecka, Delia; Joe Lysek of Emmett, all nephews.

Mr. Simecka was born July 4, 1876, in Moravia. He is survived by a brother, Joseph B. Simecka, of Delia; a sister, Mrs. Agnes Martinek of Rossville and a number of nieces and nephews.

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