----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 07/04/1929

Aldinger, Henry (11 Apr 1887 - 30 JUN 1929)

Henry Aldinger of Curtiss, Clark County, Wis., was instantly killed last Sunday noon, when the airplane in which he took a ride, crashed to the ground and hit a stump in the Fred Neitsch field near Curtiss. Alphonse Herrmann, twenty-three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Herrmann, who was also a passenger, suffered three broken ribs and a dislocated ankle. The pilot of Greenwood, Clark County, a brother of Mrs. Thieme of Curtiss, escaped with light bruises. The pilot had been taking up passengers from the Olson field at Curtiss. The Colby Medical Association was called for assistance and Dr. H. H. Christofferson autoed out to the scene of the accident and brought Alphonse Herrmann to the Colby Clinic, where an X-ray was taken and his injuries taken care of in a fine manner.

At the time of the accident, the pilot was "banking", turning on one side, and when he attempted to right his plane, couldn't for he struck an air pocket and the plane crashed to the ground and hit a stump with the disastrous result. The place was also smashed to pieces.

Aldinger had attended the jubilee celebration services at Green Grove in the morning and rushed home to get dinner and take an airplane ride so that he could return to Green Grove and attend the afternoon services.

Arrangements for funeral services were made for Wednesday afternoon, July 3rd, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Curtiss, Rev. M. C. Goetsch officiating, and interment in the Curtiss Cemetery (Pine Hill?)

The deceased, who with his brother-in-law, Wm. Hennlich, conducted the Aldinger and Hennlich garage at Curtiss, was a very congenial and likeable young man and his sudden death has brought the bitter cup of sorrow to the lips of many friends and relatives. He was a good church member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Curtiss, and just recently, on June 25th, celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary. He served on the front in the World War and was a member of the American Legion. Besides his broken hearted wife, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Schoemann, he also leaves two small children to mourn his departure to the Great Beyond.

The pilot, D. K. Schwarze of Greenwood, and Alphonse Herrmann, were co-owners of the plane and pilot Schwarze recently completed a course in flying at a St. Louis airport and returned north about two months ago with the plane in which he crashed. He had a narrow escape six weeks ago when he went through two fences in attempting a take-off near Thorp. Schwarze has visited the local airport on several occasion.

Family Note: Durward K. Schwarze, son of Adolph & Anna (Koehler) Schwarze, was my first cousin, once removed. I believe this article is in error when it notes that his sister was "Mrs. Thieme". My records show he was an only child, but this could have been his cousin, the daughter of Albert & Agnes (Norris) Schwarze. At the time of this accident, Durward was just 19 years old. He and his wife, Alvera L. Dahlby, who was a pharmacist, owned the Drug Store in Granton for many years. He died in 1993.

Obit: Aldinger, Henry #2 (1887 - 1929)

Transcriber:  Lynn (Aldinger) Narret

----Source: Owen Enterprise July 4, 1929, page 1

CURTISS MAN KILLED IN PLANE ACCIDENT _______________________

================ PLANE PILOTED BY GREENWOOD MAN AND CARRIED TWO PASSENGERS

Henry Aldinger, Curtiss, is dead as the result of a plane crash which occurred on Sunday afternoon at that place while he was a passenger in a plane carrying passengers.

The cause of the accident was due to the plane going into an air pocket, and the pilot not being able to bring the machine into control.

Aldinger it is said was killed instantly, as his chest was crushed, several ribs broken, as well as his arm and leg. He was accompanied on the flight by the pilot, and Alphonse Herman, co-owner of the ship. Herman, was badly cut and bruised and was immediately rushed to the Colby clinic where he was given medical aid. The pilot escaped with minor injuries and remained at the plane following the accident.

The plane was piloted by D. K. Schwartze, Greenwood, a young man who had recently returned from a flying school at St. Louis. He came to Curtiss early in the morning and was making flights carrying passengers. He had made several trips in the afternoon, and Aldinger, feeling the desire for a ride, entered the plane. After the ship had raised about 800 feet from the ground it struck an air pocket, and then made a nose dive, coming down and striking a large stump in a field nearby from where it had taken off.

There was a large crowd present watching the plane as it was making flights, and among the spectators were Mrs. Aldinger and her two children, a daughter 8 years old and a son 5 years of age. The plane was a complete wreck. The body of Aldinger was brought to Owen following the accident where it was prepared for burial at the undertaking parlors of Griebenow - Weirich Co.

Henry Aldinger was one of the leading business men of the village of Curtiss, having been owner of the garage of that place for the past several years. He was married June 25, 1919, and is survived by his wife and two children.

Funeral services were held today (Wednesday) from the German Reform church at Curtiss, Rev. Goetz of Colby, officiating and burial took place in the Curtiss cemetery.

====================

Family Note: The Colby obituary for Henry Aldinger says Henry's wife was the daughter of Gottlieb Schoeneman. Henry's father was Gottlieb Aldinger and I believe his wife's father was Richard Schoeneman. I also don't believe that Wm. Hennlich was Henry's brother in law.  Lynn