OBIT: Clarence SUDER, 1942, Berlin 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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CLARENCE SUDER

Berlin R.D. Man Commits Suicide
Clarence Suder Dies of Self Inflicted Wound in Right Temple

  Clarence Suder, 49, prominent Brothersvalley Township farmer, committed 
suicide early Tuesday morning by firing two bullets from a .22 caliber rifle, 
through his right temple.  Coronor P. C. Dosch, called to investigate the case, 
said the family attributed the shooting to ill health which Mr. Suder has 
suffered for the past year.
  Deputy Sheriff Karl I. Hare, called to the Suder home Tuesday, advanced the 
same theory.  The deceased was said to have left his home on Berlin, R.D. 3, 
about a mile off the Berlin-Meyersdale road, at 4:30 Tuesday morning, to get the 
cattle from pasture and return them to the barn for milking.  When he failed to 
return after several hours, his wife became alarmed and called various neighbors 
to find out if he had stopped to see them.  Shortly before 7, Henry Flamm, a 
nephew, Jay Suder, Walter Suder and Sherman Berkley began a search for him.  A 
cane, which he had used to drive the cattle, was found by a gate leading from 
the pasture land, and about a quarter of a mile farther on the body of Suder was 
found first by his nephew, Henry Flamm, about 9 a.m., along the tracks of the B. 
and O. Railroad, about three quarters of a mile from his home.  
  Suder, according to Coroner Dosch, had apparently seated himself on a log by 
the railroad, placed the gun to his temple, held it there with his left hand, 
while he pulled the trigger with his right hand.  The body had fallen forward 
after the second shot was fired, and lay face down by the railroad, the rifle 
still clutched in his hand.
  Upon finding the body of Suder, which he noticed still held a spark of life, 
Mr. Flamm notified other members of the searching party.  Upon removal to his 
home, an ambulance rushed the still breathing Suder to the Somerset Community 
Hospital, where he expired at 11:10 a.m., less than an hour after admission.
  Members of the Suder family said that during the past year Mr. Suder had 
threatened to end his life on several occasions because of ill health, but 
during the past few weeks had not mentioned it.  His only son, R. Wayne Suder, 
member of the Berlin-Brothersvalley school faculty, who departed several weeks 
ago for a summer course at Lock Haven State Teachers College, made a search for 
the rifle which he knew had been in the house, but was unable to locate it 
before he left home.  His father denied knowing where it was.  It is believed by 
the family that Mr. Suder had secreted the gun in the barn, and secured it 
Tuesday morning before leaving the premises.
  Clarence Suder was born in Brothersvalley Township, a son of the late Irvin 
and Emma Belle Walker Suder.  He was married to the former Bertha Edith Gumbert, 
to which union one son, the above mentioned Robert Wayne, was born.  Surviving 
in addition to the widow and son are: One brother, John Morris Suder; three 
sisters, Mrs. Edna Flamm, Mrs. Alice G. Dickey and Mrs. Mary Hillegas, all of 
Berlin, R.D. 3.  He was a member of the Berlin Trinity Reformed Church.
  The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Suder home.
  Mr. Suder's mother, Mrs. Emma Suder, passed away about two weeks ago.

Meyersdale Republican, June 18, 1942