OBIT: Paul Evan GNAGEY, 1940, Meyersdale R.D., Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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PAUL EVAN GNAGEY

17-Yr. Old High School Student Takes Own Life
School Teacher Aunt Finds Body in Her Car Friday Morning
 
  Paul Evan Gnagey, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marling Gnagey, of R.D. 1, 
Meyersdale, was found dead in his aunt's automobile, early last Friday morning.  
His lifeless body with a 38-caliber bullet hole in the head, was found by the 
aunt, Miss Sadie Maust, an Elk Lick Township school teacher.
  Young Gnagey was a sophomore in the Meyersdale High School, and it is believed 
that an unwarranted fear that he was not making passing grades in his school 
work caused him to end his life.   He is said to have suffered ill health for 
several years.
  Coroner F. E. Sass, who conducted an investigation expressed belief the youth 
died at approximately 4 a.m. Friday morning.  Members of the boy's family said 
he left home early Thursday evening telling them he was going to the nearby home 
of his aunt, Miss Sadie Maust.  He left the aunt's home at 10 o'clock that 
evening.
  Early Friday morning Miss Maust went to her garage and found her car missing.  
She reported the supposed theft to the police, and later started to walk to the 
school near West Salisbury where she taught.  It was while on the way to school 
that the aunt discovered young Gnagey's lifeless body slumped in the front seat 
of her own car, about a mile from her home.
  It is said the boy had placed a blanket over the front seat of the car before 
taking his life with the 38-caliber revolver found nearby, which was said to be 
the property of his father.
  Paul Evan Gnagey was aged 17 years, 7 months and 17 days.  He is survived by 
his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Marling Gnagey, and one brother, Blaine, 
aged 19, at home.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock 
in the St. Paul Reformed Church, with Rev. A. J. Forry officiating.  Interment 
was made in the St. Paul Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price & Son, 
morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, April 18, 1940