Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cassel, Roy November 14, 1918
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net May 31, 2022, 5:03 pm

Lake Odessa Wave-Times  November 22, 1918

SUICIDE IN SEBEWA OF ROY CASSEL
Took Place Oct. 14 on Emory Gunn Farm Where He had Been Working.

What prompted Roy Cassel, 25 years old, a resident of Sebewa township, to take 
his life, late Thursday afternoon of last week, in much the same manner as did 
his neighbor, Fred McNeil, two months previously, may never be knows but it was 
done with much the same deliberation that marked the act of Mr.McNeil. He was 
found hanging by a rope from a rafter in the horse barn on the Emory Gunn Farm, 
early in the evening, having been dead some time, it is believed.

Roy, who was a son of Mr and Mrs James Cassel, of Sebewa and  brother of Wm. 
Cassel, employed in the Plant market in Portland, had been to the auction sale 
at the McNeil farm during the early afternoon, Then with Alton Gunn, Clarence 
McNeil, and his cousin, Miss Mary Cassel, he drove his automobile to Portland, 
remaining there but a short time. Returning he took the others up the road from 
the Gunn farm, left his auto in the yard in front of Mrs.Gunn's home and 
disappeared. He had been employed on the farm by Isaac Bazan, who lives in the 
tenant house close by and works the place. Entering the Bazan home he told his 
employer abruptly that he was going to quit. Mr.Bazan tried to get him to  
reconsider, but Roy's reply was he had made up his mind to quit and was going to 
do so. Mr. Bazan expected him back at the house and when he failed to show up 
there a search was instituted and the body discovered by his employer. Fred Gunn 
and Henry Whorley were summoned and helped take the body down. Roy's father also  
assisted in the gruesome task. Dr. Peacock of Sunfield found no signs of life on 
his arrival. The remains were then taken to the home of his aged parents, Sunday 
they were taken to the little church at Sebewa Center, where funeral services 
were held. Burial was made in the Sebewa township cemetery.

Those who came in contact with Roy during the day saw nothing in his actions to 
indicate that he was despondent or worrying over any thing. He was a single man, 
had laid by a little money, and had only recently bought the automobile in which 
he made  his last trip. Last summer he was drafted and went to Camp Custer, but 
was rejected on account of his eyes. It was on his return that he went to work 
for Mr.Bazan. He did not appear to be greatly disappointed over his rejection 
and this incident does not seem to be related in any way to his determination to 
end is life. Early in the morning he had driven to Sunfield and it is reported 
that he had confided to a friend that he was going to commit suicide, but gave 
no reason. The remark was not taken seriously. He was one of seven sons of Mr 
and Mrs Cassel, Frank, Thomas, Winfield and Asa live in Sebewa. Oscar is at camp 
Custer and Vern with the student's training Corps at M.A.C.

It has also developed that roy told a Sebewa friend that he was going to take 
his life but gave no cause.

Careful search of the barn and of his effects failed to disclose any note which 
might shed light on the affair. The rope used was one that had been left in the 
barn by men who had been putting up a silo. he had climbed the ladder leading to 
the hay mow, tied the rope around a rafter and then swung clear from the ladder
                                                              -Portland Review

Additional Comments:
East Sebewa Cem.#44-5

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