OBIT: Ross B. OPEL, 1942, Summit Mills, Somerset County, PA

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

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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ROSS B. OPEL
Ross B. Opel Drowned in Ohio
Death Plucks From Center of Will H. Opel Family Beloved Son

  SUMMIT MILLS, June 24 - Tragedy reached into the exact center of the Will Opel 
family of seven children, after passing over one married son, Leroy; past one 
soldier son, Clark, whose whereabouts are unknown now, but who is probably 
sailing overseas; past another son, George, now invalided by a broken leg, and 
plucked Ross Bernard, aged almost 21 years, from the family circle, leaving 
Doris, Donald, and Evelyn mournfully at home.
  This grim tragedy occurred at Elyria, Ohio, where Ross was living with his 
brother Leroy, and the accident is reconstructed by the police officials, 
coroner, and family thusly:
  Ross had been unemployed for several weeks and had been expecting a call to 
work at his previous employment.  He had also put in an application with an 
employment bureau.  He received a telephone call through a neighbor's phone, 
verbally from the neighbor, that he was to call for an interview.  He assumed it 
to be his former employer, and mistakenly went there early Tuesday morning, June 
16.  They had not called him, so he went home and then went to a nearby park by 
a short cut path often used by him.  Here there is an immense rock, 30 feet 
high, jutting into the river and with three sides extending into the river, a 
place where he often lingered as it was a favorite look-out place for many 
frequenters of the park, especially for picture taking.
  He was to report for his first Army examination that same evening at 8 
o'clock, but had said he might go to Cleveland to enlist that day, so when he 
was absent, his brother and family presumed he had gone there.  Wednesday some 
Draft Board officials asked his whereabouts and were told that he was probably 
enlisting in Cleveland, which was perfectly satisfactory to them.
  Then on Friday, they again inquired about him and on Saturday Leroy went to 
Cleveland to try to find Ross.  He was unsuccessful, and returned home just a 
little while after his body had been found in the river close to the large 
boulder.
  Apparently he was whiling away time at this favorite spot, which would be 
slippery after the rain, lost his footing and fell into the river.  Probable 
shock and poor swimming ability prevented his escape so that he died by 
drowning.  Telephone messages reporting the tragedy were received here Saturday 
about 1 o'clock, and Mr. and Mrs. Opel, parents of the unfortunate young man, 
and Markel Maust motored to Elyria, Ohio, Saturday night.  Upon their arrival - 
well even before they left here - they knew it was impossible to bring his body 
home for burial, so the funeral was held out there at 3 p.m. on Sunday, with 
burial in the Memorial Park of Elyria.  Relatives and friends able to attend the 
funeral were Ross Witt and daughter, Jean, of Poland, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Weaver 
of Girard and Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Maust of Sugar Creek, all of Ohio.
  Ross was born to William H. and Ella (Witt) Opel on December 10, 1921, and was 
always a dutiful, thrifty and loving son.  He had refused coming home with his 
mother when she visited all the boys two weeks ago, owing to George's accident, 
afore mentioned.  He was intent on leaving for the army from "out there," to 
eliminate sorrow at home, just as his brother Clark did last October.
  The bereaved family have the deepest sympathy of the entire community for 
which they wish to express their appreciation and thanks.

Meyersdale Republican, June 25, 1942