OBIT: David Ross PETREA, 1947, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
________________________________________________

DAVID ROSS PETREA

Waved Salute to Girl Friend Then Crashed to Death

  David Ross Petrea of Somerset, aged 23, crashed to his death in Northampton 
Township, last Friday afternoon, before the horrified eyes of his girl friend, 
to whom he had dropped the plane to wave after circling her home several times.
  Sgt. Homer Stephens of the Pennsylvania State Police, said Petrea had been 
flying low and that the plane's engine failed a few seconds after he waved to 
pretty brunette Mildred Lane.  The plane nosedived and crashed 50 feet from the 
girl's home.
  Miss Lane, who had been watching for Petrea, as he had told her earlier in the 
week he would circle her home on that day, rushed to the ruins of the plane, to 
find Petrea dead upon her arrival.
  Discharged from the army about a year ago, he was taking GI flight training 
and was flying a Cessna trainer plane, Model 120, obtained from the Somerset 
Airport.  This was his second solo flight since learning to fly.  He lacked only 
6 hours of completing his training.  The demolished plane was valued at $3,000.
  The young man was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Petrea, Park Avenue, Somerset, 
and a grandson of Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Petrea, Somerset.  He is also survived by 
two sisters and a brother.
  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock in the Somerset 
Church of God, with Rev. David Lykens officiating.  Burial was made in Husband 
Cemetery.

Meyersdale Republican, September 25, 1947