In Memory of MERLE ALLEN WEHMEYER

Born April 20, 1934 Arlington, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest February 21, 1943

Service Held 2:30 P.M., Thurs. Feb. 25 1942 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH Arlington, Nebraska

Clergymn REV. C. HELLMAN Arlington, Nebraska Text---2 Kings 4, 26

Music by East St. Paul School “Beautiful Saviour” Mr. George Bluma, directing

By the Choir “Asleep in Jesus” Mr. Otto Schnakenberg, directing

Place of Interment St Paul Lutheran Cemetery Arlington, Nebraska

Pallbearers Earl Lottman, LeRoy Dunklau, Dean Greunke, Rolland Laaker, Duane Scheer, Richard Scheer

#2-Pilot Tribune 25 Feb 1943

Boy, 8, Dies of Burns at Arlington

Merle Wehmeyer Fatally Burned Sunday While Parents At Church

Merle Wehmeyer, eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wehmeyer of northeast of Arlington, died late Sunday afternoon at Dodge County hospital in Fremont from burns suffered at his home about noon.

Merle was kindling a fire in a cook stove when his flannel shirt caught fire. The parents were attending church services at the time, but Merle’s two brothers, Neal, 10, and Albert Lee, 7 endeavored heroically to save him. They rolled him in a rug after tearing off part of his clothes, and succeeded in putting out the flames. Then they telephoned to an uncle, Lorenz Dunklau, living nearby, and learned the Wehmeyers had stopped there enroute home.

When Mr. and Mrs. Wehmeyer arrived home, Neal and Albert were frantically grating raw potatoes to put on Merle’s burns. The lad was rushed to the hospital, but lived only a few hours.

Funeral services for the lad are being held at 2:30 p.m. today at St. Paul’s Lutheran church the Rev. Carl Hellman officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The Reckmeyer Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.

Merle Allen Wehmeyer was born April 20, 1934. He is survived by his parents, a sister, Lorraine and the two brothers. Also surviving are his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dunklau of Fremont.

#3-25 Feb., 1943 - The Enterprise

BURNS FATAL TO ARLINGTON LAD, AGED 8

Accident Occurred While Parents Were At Church

Merle Wehmeyer, 8 year old Arlington boy, died late Sunday afternoon at the Dodge County Hospital in Fremont of burns received earlier in the day at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wehmeyer, four miles northeast o Arlington. His injuries were incurred about noon when he tried to kindle a fire in a cook stove, the flames leaping up and catching the flannel shirt which he wore.

His two brothers, who were alone with him in the house, tried to get his clothing off and extinguish the flames by rolling him in a rug. Merle suffered severe burns about the chest, arms and face despite their frantic efforts. The young victim’s parents and sister were attending church services when the accident occurred.

Merle’s brothers, Neale aged ten and Albert Lee aged 7, phoned for help as soon as they were able to extinguish their brother’s flaming clothing. When the neighbors arrived, the two boys were grating potatoes to put on the burner. The brave little boys tried desperately in every way to do all they could as they had recently had a lesson at school on what to do in case of fire. Merle was rushed to the Dodge County Hospital where he died a few hours later.

Funeral services are being held this Thursday afternoon at two o’clock from the home, and at 2:30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran church with Rev. Carl Hellman officiating.

Besides his parents, Merle is survived by the two brothers and sister, Lorraine, 12 years of age.

#4-4 Mar., 1943 - The Enterprise

MERLE WEHMEYER BURIED THURSDAY

Funeral services for Merle Allen Wehmeyer, 8 year old Arlington boy, were held on Thursday afternoon at St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Arlington with Rev. Carl Hellman officiating. Merle died on February 21 as the result of severe burns.

Merle was born at Arlington on April 20, 1934 to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wehmeyer. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Neale and Albert Lee and a sister, Lorraine.

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

Find a Grave # 74149856