Warren Barclay's obituary, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Mary Adams. This copy contributed for use in 
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Warren Barclay
War Hero's Body Recovered in Ruins of Bad Axe Fire
Bad Axe, Oct 8 - Fire, caused by an explosion in the basement of the 
John C Neeb gasoline station on West Huron Ave, Thurs afternoon resulted 
in the death of Warren Barclay, 26, a station attendant and W.W.II 
veteran and the destruction of the station and equipment. Another attendant, 
Gilbert Schweitzer, who was on the main floor of the station when the 
explosion occurred, escaped injury.  Cause of the explosion has not been 
determined. Schweitzer said Barclay went to the basement of the station 
a few minutes before the explosion. Schweitzer added that he ran to the 
stairway after he heard the roar of the blast but the basement was already 
a mass of flames. Clouds of black smoke soared into the air and great sheets 
of flames arose as firemen fought the fire. The fire was brought under 
control in less than an hour. Searchers, digging in the ruins, found 
Barclay's charred body about 4 p.m. near the stairway. It was removed 
to the Alden A MacAlpine funeral home. Considerable smoke damage was 
caused to the electrical appliance store of Harry Mingay to the east 
of the station. A strong southeast wind prevented the fire from reaching 
the store. Firemen prevented the blaze from reaching an apartment house, 
west of the station, from which it is separated by an ally. Offices of Neeb 
are located in the apartment house. The explosion shook houses and stores 
within a radius of a block of the station.  Barclay was born July 13, 1922 
in Harbor Beach. He was graduated in 1942 by Harbor Beach high school. He 
entered the Army Feb 12, 1943 and served overseas 2 years in the European 
and Pacific areas. He was discharged in Feb 1946. He entered the employ of 
Neeb in May, 1946. He is survived by his widow, Beth, a son, Stephen 2 1/2; 
his father, William Barclay, Harbor Beach and 2 brothers, Franklin and Merle 
Barclay, both of Harbor Beach. The remains are in a sealed casket in the 
MacAlpine funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sun in 
First Presbyterian ch. Sherman Elvin post No. 96, American Legion, in 
which Barclay was active, will conduct military burial services in Rock 
Falls cemetery near Harbor Beach. Remains are in the Groesbeck funeral 
home, Mt Clemens. Funeral services are pending 

Huron Tribune

Date unknown