Recover Body of Drowned Man

Stanley Barrier, 60, Drowned on Opening Day at DeSoto Bend

The 1967 opening of DeSoto Bend was marred with a drowning Sunday, the result of high waves created by strong winds. Stanley Barrier, 60, of 2715 South Twenty-third Street, Omaha, lost his life when his small outboard-powered boat was swamped by high waves. Two others in the boat were rescued by men from another nearby boat. The two rescued were George Cumerford and his 13 year old son, Linn, of 1713 Holmes Street.

Wind was exceptionally strong Sunday and whipped up waves reported to be five feet high. Observers reported that the small fishing boat got between two large waves and was filled with water and sunk.

Men from the Harrison County Sheriff’s office and staff members of the Iowa Conservation Commission started dragging the lake Monday morning and the body was found within a short time. Funeral services have been set for 10:30 Friday morning from the John A. Gentleman mortuary in Omaha.

Mr. Barrier, who was a self-employed contractor and remodeling specialist, is survived by his wife and one son.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~