(picture of train wreck)

Jack Venus

Blair Man, Father of 7, Killed at Rail Crossing

Jack Venus, master mechanic at Sapp Bros. Ford Center, was killed instantly Saturday afternoon when a light truck which he was driving was struck by a train at a crossing west of Blair. Venus, who was 32, was the father of seven children.

There were apparently no eye witnesses to the crash.

Venus was driving west on Highway 91 when his pickup truck struck the train which was westbound toward Kennard. Venus lived west of Blair in the Sutherland school district.

The truck struck the side of the engine, was caught under one of the cars which up-ended it and crushed it. The truck became wedged between the train and one of the steel poles which holds the crossing signal light. The steel pole was broken off and the signal was pushed to the ground.

Signals at the crossing were working properly, it is believed as those who arrived immediately after the crash reported that the remaining undamaged signal light continued to function even though its mate on the opposite side of the highway was put out of commission.

The Blair Rescue Squad was immediately called, but there was nothing which could be done to save his life.

Venus, who had been employed at the Sapp Bros. Ford Center for two years was considered an excellent mechanic by his employer, Dean Sapp. He had had experience on all types of motors and was a top man in his field, said Mr. Sapp.

The family came to Blair from David City. The children range in age from one to 13 years of age.

The body, following the accident, was taken to the Bendorf Funeral Home, where it was prepared for shipment to David City, Nebraska. Funeral services were held there Tuesday afternoon.

The family made immediate plans to return to David City and now have now moved back to their home town.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #122897072