Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Sweitzer, Harland V. 1932
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Lake Odessa Wave, 18 Feb 1932

Harland Sweitzer Wind Storm Victim

Took Shelter Behind Tool Car Which Overturned, Breaking His Neck.  Farmer and 
Merchant.

The people of this vicinity were greatly shocked and saddened Thursday 
afternoon by the sudden death of an old, well-known, and highly esteemed 
citizen, Harland V. Sweitzer, who had lived all his life on his farm, one and 
one-half miles south of this village, Woodbury.

Mr. Sweitzer left his residence Thursday afternoon to look after his sheep 
which were on another part of the farm.  A neighbor, Arthur Statsick, noticed 
him going by a few minutes before the storm broke.  Near by was a tool car, 
which resembled a bunk house.  After the storm Arthur noticed that the car was 
blown over and not seeing Mr. Sweitzer anywhere he went toward it, calling but 
receiving no answer.

When he came to the car he saw the body and called Charles Eckardt to assist, 
and the body was taken from under the car and the coroner and the doctor were 
called.

It is thought that Mr. Sweitzer took shelter on the east side of the car and 
stood with his back against it, and the car was blown over so quickly that he 
was unable to save himself as he was found in a crouching position.  The body 
was crushed together and the neck broken.  Death probably was instantaneous.  
After the arrival of the coroner and doctor the body was taken to the home.

Funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Zion Lutheran church and the sermon 
was by the pastor, the Rev. Edward J. Nest.  The music was by Harold Smith, 
Irvin and Arthur Bates, and Victor Sawdy, accompanied by Miss Alice Smith.  The 
pall bearers were Milliard Brecheisen, Albert Hauer, Paul Brodbeck, Arthur 
Statsick, Charles Eckardt, and John Gardner.  Undertaker Mapes of Sunfield had 
charge of arrangements.  Burial was at Lakeside cemetery.

Obituary

Harland V. Sweitzer, only son of Michael Sweitzer and his wife Rosanna, nee 
Bessey, was born January 19, 1861, on the old Sweitzer homestead in Northeast 
Woodland, and departed this life February 11, 1932.  When he attained to 
manhood, his father retired from the farm and he took over the management of 
the same.

On the twenty-fourth day of December, 1891, he was united in holy wedlock to 
Miss Mary Scheel and God blessed this union with two daughters, Lodema Mae, who 
preceded her father into the great beyond and Ruth Sweitzer Lake, who is now 
caring for her widowed mother.  Mr. Sweitzer lived all his life on the Sweitzer 
farm and for more than forty years was engaged in various business enterprises 
in Woodland, Lake Odessa, Woodbury and Sunfield, but in later years he disposed 
of most of his business interests and devoted his whole time and attention to 
his farm. 

While looking after some of his sheep last Thursday, Feb. 11, he was overtaken 
by a severe storm and sought shelter behind a small building near a portable 
saw mill, and was instantly killed when the storm overturned the building and 
crushed him.

Mr. Sweitzer was a man of varied experience and of a broad mind and in his 
unselfish manner he was always ready to help and be of service to others, even 
if they were inclined to take advantage of him.  In his passing his family 
loses their kind and loving husband and father, Zion Lutheran church a faithful 
member and an able, official, and the community a worthy Christian gentleman.  
Had he been of a more selfish disposition, he could have amassed a fortune but 
he never could have been Mr. H. V. Sweitzer as we all knew him.

He leaves to mourn his untimely departure, his bereaved wife, one daughter, 
Mrs. Ruth Sweitzer Lake, and husband, two grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. 
Lucinda Ludwig and a large circle of more distant relatives and a host of 
associates and friends.  His age amounts to 71 years and 23 days.

----

Card of Thanks:  We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our friends 
and neighbors for the kindly assistance, the expressions of sympathy, the 
beautiful floral offerings, the singers for their fitting selections, the 
pastor for his comforting words in the days of our sad bereavement.  Mrs. H. 
V. .Sweitzer, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Lake and family.

CARD OF THANKS
We wish to thank the friends
and neighbors for their kindness and (SEVERAL LINES ARE ILLEGIBLE)
men who sang at the time of the
death of our husband and father.

Mrs. Michael Sweitzer
Mrs. Lucinda Ludwig
Harland Sweitzer


Lakeside Cemetery - #2-312


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