Obit: Szpara, John Kasimir (1886 - 1944)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Szpara, Brown, Zaborowski

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.)Wed., 13 Sept. 1944

Szpara, John Kasimir (6 May 1886 - 12 Sept. 1944)

Thorp Farmer Dies Tuesday

John K. Szpara is stuck by lightning in basement of home; wife nearby is unhurt.

Neillsville - John K. Szpara, 58, was killed instantly by lightning Tuesday afternoon at his farm home, 3 ½ miles northeast of Thorp, in the Town of Thorp.

He and his wife had gone into the cellar shortly before the electrical storm Tuesday afternoon, during which a bolt of lightning hit the chimney, going down to the basement, where is struck Mr. Szpara and knocked him down. In falling, he struck his head against a stone wall, cutting a gash in his scalp.

Mrs. Szpara, who was standing near her husband, said she was dazed for a few moments, and that when she went to her husband, he was dead.

Coroner H. L. Brown, who investigated said there would be no inquest.

After hitting the chimney the lightning tore a hole in the roof of the house, knocked down a stove pipe in the living room, burned a hole in the ceiling and floor, and knocked out the thimble in the chimney. The entire house was filled with soot, but no resultant fire was reported.

John Kasimir Szpara was born in Poland May 6, 1886, and besides his widow, he survived by seven children, Mrs. Adeline Zaborowski, 22, Mary 20, Emile, 10, Frank 17, Walter 16, Clara 15, and John 12.

Details of the funeral arrangements were not immediately learned.