Obit: Baltus, Lyle B. (1934 - 1973)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Baltus, Schaetz, Halbrader, Kieffer, Mertens

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 3/22/1973

Baltus, Lyle B. (10 December 1934 - 17 March 1973)

A rural Willard man was killed “almost instantly” Saturday afternoon when a car on which he was working fell off a jack and crushed him.

The man was Lyle B. Baltus, 38 of Rt. 1 Willard was the father of seven children. According to investigating officers, Baltus was in the process of removing the driveshaft from the auto when the jack he was using to elevate the car slipped and the auto came down on him.

The body was discovered shortly before 6:00 p.m. by his daughter. A municipal; ambulance arrived shortly thereafter but it is believed Baltus had died previous to his being found.

Baltus was born on December 10, 1934 in Marshfield and was married on June 5, 1956 to Mary Ann Schaetz in Auburndale. Having lived in the Nekoosa area, the couple moved to Willard in 1957 where farming operations were begun. Baltus was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and was a supervisor in the Town of Seif.

Funeral services were held Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Greenwood, with the Rev. Michael Mertens officiated.

Survivors include his wife, daughters Jo Ann, Kathy, Judy, Karen, and Barbara, and two sons, Robert and David, all still reside at the family home. Other survivors include five brothers, Sylvester, of Marshfield, Rueben, Floyd, Arnold, and James, all of Wisconsin Rapids and two sisters, Mrs. Victor (Dorothy) Halbrader, Willard, and Mrs. Harold (Evelyn) Kieffer, Auburndale.

Although preceded in death by his mother and two brothers, Baltus’ father, Elmer, is still living in Marshfield.