Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Rita Catherine Peterman, 1930 Tuesday, 16 Sep 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm ************************************************ PETERMAN, RITA CATHERINE (29 Mar 1930, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): RITES HERE FOR GIRL WHO LOST LIFE IN WATER Miss Rita Peterman, 15, Was On Wiener Roast with Friends. Funeral services for Miss Rita Catherine Peterman, 15, of Sweetwater, Oklahoma, who was accidentally drowned last night while on a wiener roast with a group of friends, will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic church in this city tomorrow morning at 10:30 o'clock. Father A. Geeraert, priest of the local church, will conduct the services with burial in the Calvary cemetery. Grubitz & Son will be in charge. Miss Peterman was drowned when she attempted to step from a boat in which she was riding into another one, the first one having sprung a leak. She fell into about 11 feet of water and although efforts were made to rescue her, these were unsuccessful. The body was not recovered until about three hours after the fatal accident. Brother Killed in Accident She and two sisters, a young man and another young woman were riding in the boat when the leak developed and water began to rush in. All three occupants of the boat attempted to step into another boat, carrying other members of the party, and in some manner both boats were overturned and all occupants of both vessels were thrown into the water. Others would have drowned had it not been for the heroic work of persons at the scene, it was said today. The accident occurred at about 7 o'clock. Miss Peterman is survived by her parents Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Peterman and nine brothers and sisters. A brother, about two years younger than she, was killed about six months ago in a runaway accident. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html