Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Leake, Harold S. 1930
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net June 6, 2019, 12:05 pm

Ionia County News, 31 Jul 1930

Drowns When Trying to Swim on Few Lessons
Harold Leake, 19, Sebewa, Loses Life in Gravel Pit Pool as Mates Watch
Is Second Drowning
Boys Unable to Dive, Could Not Go Down After Body

Trying to swim in ten feet of water after only a few lessons, Harold Leake, 19
year old Sebewa township youth drowned Sunday afternoon in a pool at an old
gravel pit on the Frank Mills farm 13 miles south of the city on M-43.  It was
the second drowning of the season in the county.

Leake was on a raft with Elvin Litchfield, 12, when he shoved off into the pool
to try his newly learned strokes.  He had gone out a short distance into the
pool and was returning when Litchfield, whose back was turned, heard a yell from
other boys swimming in the pool and saw his companion was in difficulties. 
Before he realized the danger and could render assistance Leake had disappeared
under the water.

Others Saw Tragedy

The drowning took place in the view of half a dozen other boys from Lake Odessa
and vicinity who were swimming in the pool.  Unable to dive, none of them could
go under the surface to bring up the drowning boy.  The body was recovered an
hour later by John Zaukelis, 19, who was secured from a neighboring farm to dive
after the body by the terror stricken boys.

Ermal Garlinger, deputy sheriff form Lake Odessa was called to the scene as were
also Sheriff William Franch and Coroner B.J. Boynton.  Deputy Garlinger brot
grappling hooks, but the body had been recovered when he arrived at the pool. 
Sheriff Franch and Coroner Boynton decided not to hold an inquest.

The youth who lost his life was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Leake, West
Sebewa.  The father who has been ill, suffered from additional shock at the
death of his son.  Three sisters also survive, Lorraine and Annabelle, at home
and Mrs. Gilbert Brock, of Lowell, Mass. 

The boy graduated from Lake Odessa high school this past spring.


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