OBIT: Charles SISK, Jr., 1946, of interest in 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/
________________________________________________

CHARLES SISK, JR.

Double Tragedy Marked Close of Two Weeks Daily Vacation Bible School
Rev. Charles Sisk, Methodist Pastor and Dean of Bible School, Lost His Life by 
Heroic Attempt to Rescue Drowning Boy, Billy Speicher, from Turbulent Waters of 
Casselman River at Stanton's Dam

  Grantsville, Md., July 3 - Stark double tragedy marked the close of the two-
weeks Vacation Bible School last Friday evening and cast a gloom over the 
Grantsville community which it will take a long time to dispel.
  Dean of the Bible School was Rev. Charles Sisk, Jr., 31, pastor of the 
Grantsville charge of the Methodist Church and only resident minister of 
Grantsville.  As customary the Bible school came to a close with a picnic, 
Friday evening, at Stanton's Dam at Little Crossings, one mile east of 
Grantsville.
  It was there that the popular and zealous young minister, Rev. Charles Sisk, 
lost his life in the turbulent waters of the Casselman River, in a heroic 
endeavor to save the life of 8-year-old William R. Speicher, son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hobart H. Speicher of Grantsville.  The boy also was drowned.
  On arriving at the picnic ground near the breast of the Stanton mill dam, Rev. 
Sisk warned the children not to go wading in the river, which was almost at 
flood stage after the late rains and was dangerous.  The Speicher lad was not a 
member of the picnic party, but he and several other boys had gone to the river 
earlier and when the Bible school picnickers arrived, joined them.
  While several of the children and the minister went a short distance away to 
get the picnic lunch, they learned on their return, that young Speicher had gone 
into the water above the breast of the dam and was on his way out when he 
slipped and fell and was swept over the dam into the whirlpool below.

Died a Hero's Death

  As soon as Rev. Sisk heard what had happened, he plunged into the whirlpool to 
rescue the lad if possible.  But not being a good swimmer he was helpless in the 
churning water and was drawn under.  The water was 10 feet or more in depth 
where he sank.  He came up twice and called for help but was whirled around in 
the maelstorm and was sucked under to rise no more.  The children who saw him go 
over the dam and disappear in the swirling water were stunned with fright and 
horror, but presently ran to the nearest homes to give the alarm. 
  Scores of adults - men and women - were soon at the scene of disaster, but it 
was three hours before the bodies of the victims of the tragedy were recovered.
  Members of the Grantsville Fire Department, police and Miss Catherine Smith, 
County Health Nurse, tried to resuscitate the bodies, but in vain.  State police 
from LaVale barracks rushed to the scene with their resuscitator as did also 
Cumberland City Police, with theirs and used two tanks of oxygen, before giving 
up hope of reviving the victims, but all too late.  Finally Dr. Alexander 
Solosko of Salisbury, Pa., arrived and pronounced them officially dead. 

Funeral Services for Pastor

  Funeral services for Rev. Sisk were held on Sunday, June 30, at 10 a.m., in 
the church in which he had officiated as pastor since October 1, 1945.
  Rev. Dr. Fred B. Wyand, Superintendent of the Moorefield district, at Romney, 
W.Va., officiated, assisted by Rev. James E. Hodges of Gormania, W.Va., and Rev. 
Jack Prince of Elk Gardens, W.Va.
  The service was very impressive.  Dr. Wyant's message was centered on the 
text, "I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith and I fought a good 
fight," from St. Paul's triumphant farewell address.  Music was furnished by a 
quartet and combined Grantsville choir.
  The body of the deceased pastor was taken to Iaeger, W.Va., where further 
funeral rites were conducted and interment was made in Woodlawn Cemetery, near 
Bluefield, W.Va.
  The body was accompanied to its last resting place by the bereaved wife, Mrs. 
Charles Sisk, and son, Charles Wesley; also by Paul Sisk and Clifford R. Chapman 
of Bluefield, who attended the services in Grantsville.
  Besides the widow and son, Rev. Sisk is survived by his father, Charles Sisk, 
Sr., Iaeger, W.Va.; two brothers, Paul Sisk, Fayettesville, W.Va., and Harry B. 
Sisk, Iaeger; four sisters, Miss Mary Sisk and Mrs. Basil Frail, Iaeger; Mrs. 
Joe West and Mrs. Cowley Rash, Litwar, W.Va.
  Rev. Sisk came to Grantsville from Welch, W.Va.  He was a devoted worker in 
his church and was a local Scout Leader and member of the Volunteer Firemen.
  Many friends paid tribute by expressions of sympathy and floral designs.

Funeral of "Billy" Speicher

  Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for the other victim of 
the tragedy, William Roy Speicher, 8-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart 
Speicher.
  Rev. George Ely, pastor of the Evangelical and Reformed Church officiated.  
Rev. Ely read passages of scripture and poems which were very comforting to the 
bereaved parents and friends.  A children's choir sang a selection and Mrs. 
Harry Yommer sang a solo.
  The following members of the unfortunate lad's Sunday School class were the 
pallbearers: Dannie Hershberger, Charles Ringer, Dick Bender, Carl Beachy, Bobby 
Reichenbecher and Jean Beachy.
  Interment was made in the Grantsville cemetery.
  "Billy" Speicher won many friends by his pleasing smile and friendly 
disposition.  Many floral tributes expressed the sympathy of the sorrowing 
friends.  Besides his parents, Hobart H. and Grace Hershberger Speicher, he is 
survived by one sister, Audrey, and two brothers, Robert and Charles Oliver.
  Among the out-of-town guests who attended the funeral services were: Mr. and 
Mrs. Merle Hershberger and children, of College Park, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. Dwight 
Speicher and family, Baltimore; Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Speicher and children, 
Westminster, Md., Mr. and Mrs. Walter Speicher, Uniontown, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Speicher, Mrs. W. A. Speicher, Rev. and Mrs. Ross Speicher, Mrs. W. W. 
Dewitt, Clayton Speicher and Mr. and Mrs. Foster Yost, Accident; Mrs. Agnes 
Speicher and Mr. and Mrs. Albian Biggs, Cumberland; Mrs. Grace Cheshire, Keyser, 
W.Va.; Mrs. Edna Biggs and daughter, Miss Myra Lee Biggs, Pinto, Md., and Mr. 
and Mrs. Raymond Yutzy and children of Mt. Savage.

Meyersdale Republican, July 4, 1946