Howard Levi Rudy

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-39544

Notes:

Truck Hit On Breslau Area Line

A Breslau district farmer and his three young children, were killed instantly late yesterday afternoon, when their pick-up truck was struck by a twin-diesel freight train, on township road 1, near Shantz Station. Dead are Howard Levi Rudy, 43, of RR 2. Breslau; his two daughters, Nancy Ann, 10 and Phyllis Marie, 8 and son, Walter Eugene, 5. The accident took place on a railway crossing at the Waterloo-Wellington county line, only a few hundred yards from the Rudy farm laneway and about 10 miles east of Kitchener. RETURN FROM SCHOOL

Mr. Rudy was returning from Vance School, about 11/2 miles south of his farm, after picking up his two daughters. The young boy, who doesn't attend school, went along for the ride. The truck was struck on the passenger side of its cab, by the westbound freight train, wrapped itself around the front of the engine and was carried down the tracks for half a mile. The railway tracks run parallel to the Rudy farm buildings. The wrecked truck and its four victims, were carried past the Rudy home, where Mrs. Rudy was in the barn cleaning out a milk tank. She said she heard a "bump" at the time of the impact, but thought it could have been a noise made by cows, shuffling in their stalls.
INQUEST PLANNED

Dr. C. C. Belyea, coroner, said an inquest will be held. He described the victims' injuries as "very extensive" and was of the opinion death was instantaneous. "It was one of the worst tragedies I have seen in this area," he said. A postmortem was performed on Mr. Rudy, at K-W Hospital today. Howard Hicks, 43 Chrisholme Ave., Toronto, in charge of the train, told Waterloo Township Chief Livingstone, he noticed the truck on the tracks but was unable to halt the diesel in time. The truck started to fall apart after it reached a laneway, directly behind the Rudy home, more than a quarter mile from the main crossing.

DEBRIS STREWN

A wheel with chains, a hubcap and other pieces of debris were strewn along the tracks. The crossing where the tragedy took place has no signals and is unlighted. There were no known witnesses. Police said the truck's tires left 21 feet of skid marks, leading to the tracks. One theory is that the truck, a 1953 model, stalled on the tracks. The accident occurred at 4: 35 p.m. A member of the train crew notified police. Chief Livingstone said there haxe been many tragic accidents in the township, but I think this is one of the worst in which I have taken a part in the investigation Assisting the chief were constables, John Stevenson, Nyle Soehner and Donald Herman. Chief Livingstone removed the bodies from the twisted wreckage.

SURVIVORS LISTED
Besides his wife, Mr. Rudy is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rudy, RR 1, Hespeler: two brothers, Arthur of Waterloo and Wilfred of Edmonton; three sisters, Mrs. Homer (Anna) Burkhardt, RR 5, Galt: Mrs. Melvin (Margaret) Bearinger, RR 3, Waterloo and Mrs. Jesse (Lucile) Markle, RR 1, Hespeler. Mrs. Rudy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Lichti, live at 236 Alexandra Ave., Waterloo. The former Erma Lichti, Mrs. Rudy was once employed at the John Forsyth Ltd. plant in Waterloo. The bodies are at the Harry K. Stager Funeral Home, 566 Queen St., Preston, until Friday night. Funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, at 2: 30 p.m., at the Wanner Mennonite Church, Beaverdale (near Hespeler). Rev. Merle Shantz will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining Wanner Mennonite Cemetery.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 8 Jan 1959 pg 1

__________________________

Rudy, Howard, son of Clarence and Ada (Snyder) Rudy; born May 6, 1915, in Waterloo Twp. , Ont.; died Jan. 7, 1959, when hit at a level railroad crossing; aged 43 y. 8 m. 1 d. Married July 27, 1946, to Erma Lichty, who survives. In the same accident their three children were also killed; Nancy Ann, aged 10; Phyllis Marie, aged 6; and Walter Eugene, aged5. He is survived by his parents of Hespeler and 5 brothers and sisters (Anna- Mrs. Homer Burkhart, Galt, Ont. ; Arthur and Margaret-Mrs. Melvin Bearinger, Waterloo; Lucille- Mrs. Jesse Markle, Hespeler; and Wilfrid, Edmonton, Alta. ) . He was a member of the Wanner Mennonite Church near Hespeler, where services were held Jan. 10 for the father and his three children with Merle Shantz in charge; interment in adjoining cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Volume LII, Number 10 - March 10 1959

Howard married Erma B. Lichty 27 Jul 1946. Erma (daughter of Sidney Z. Lichty and Lovina Bauman) was born 23 Nov 1919, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Aug 2006, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 29 Aug 2006, Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-386650

Notes:

Truck Hit On Breslau Area Line

A Breslau district farmer and his three young children, were killed instantly late yesterday afternoon, when their pick-up truck was struck by a twin-diesel freight train, on township road 1, near Shantz Station. Dead are Howard Levi Rudy, 43, of RR 2. Breslau; his two daughters, Nancy Ann, 10 and Phyllis Marie, 8 and son, Walter Eugene, 5. The accident took place on a railway crossing at the Waterloo-Wellington county line, only a few hundred yards from the Rudy farm laneway and about 10 miles east of Kitchener. RETURN FROM SCHOOL
Mr. Rudy was returning from Vance School, about 11/2 miles south of his farm, after picking up his two daughters. The young boy, who doesn't attend school, went along for the ride. The truck was struck on the passenger side of its cab, by the westbound freight train, wrapped itself around the front of the engine and was carried down the tracks for half a mile. The railway tracks run parallel to the Rudy farm buildings. The wrecked truck and its four victims, were carried past the Rudy home, where Mrs. Rudy was in the barn cleaning out a milk tank. She said she heard a "bump" at the time of the impact, but thought it could have been a noise made by cows, shuffling in their stalls.
INQUEST PLANNED
Dr. C. C. Belyea, coroner, said an inquest will be held. He described the victims' injuries as "very extensive" and was of the opinion death was instantaneous. "It was one of the worst tragedies I have seen in this area," he said. A postmortem was performed on Mr. Rudy, at K-W Hospital today. Howard Hicks, 43 Chrisholme Ave., Toronto, in charge of the train, told Waterloo Township Chief Livingstone, he noticed the truck on the tracks but was unable to halt the diesel in time. The truck started to fall apart after it reached a laneway, directly behind the Rudy home, more than a quarter mile from the main crossing. DEBRIS STREWN
A wheel with chains, a hubcap and other pieces of debris were strewn along the tracks. The crossing where the tragedy took place has no signals and is unlighted. There were no known witnesses. Police said the truck's tires left 21 feet of skid marks, leading to the tracks. One theory is that the truck, a 1953 model, stalled on the tracks. The accident occurred at 4: 35 p.m. A member of the train crew notified police. Chief Livingstone said there haxe been many tragic accidents in the township, but I think this is one of the worst in which I have taken a part in the investigation Assisting the chief were constables, John Stevenson, Nyle Soehner and Donald Herman. Chief Livingstone removed the bodies from the twisted wreckage.
SURVIVORS LISTED
Besides his wife, Mr. Rudy is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rudy, RR 1, Hespeler: two brothers, Arthur of Waterloo and Wilfred of Edmonton; three sisters, Mrs. Homer (Anna) Burkhardt, RR 5, Galt: Mrs. Melvin (Margaret) Bearinger, RR 3, Waterloo and Mrs. Jesse (Lucile) Markle, RR 1, Hespeler. Mrs. Rudy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Lichti, live at 236 Alexandra Ave., Waterloo. The former Erma Lichti, Mrs. Rudy was once employed at the John Forsyth Ltd. plant in Waterloo. The bodies are at the Harry K. Stager Funeral Home, 566 Queen St., Preston, until Friday night. Funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, at 2: 30 p.m., at the Wanner Mennonite Church, Beaverdale (near Hespeler). Rev. Merle Shantz will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining Wanner Mennonite Cemetery.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 8 Jan 1959 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24455

Notes:

Truck Hit On Breslau Area Line

A Breslau district farmer and his three young children, were killed instantly late yesterday afternoon, when their pick-up truck was struck by a twin-diesel freight train, on township road 1, near Shantz Station. Dead are Howard Levi Rudy, 43, of RR 2. Breslau; his two daughters, Nancy Ann, 10 and Phyllis Marie, 8 and son, Walter Eugene, 5. The accident took place on a railway crossing at the Waterloo-Wellington county line, only a few hundred yards from the Rudy farm laneway and about 10 miles east of Kitchener. RETURN FROM SCHOOL
Mr. Rudy was returning from Vance School, about 11/2 miles south of his farm, after picking up his two daughters. The young boy, who doesn't attend school, went along for the ride. The truck was struck on the passenger side of its cab, by the westbound freight train, wrapped itself around the front of the engine and was carried down the tracks for half a mile. The railway tracks run parallel to the Rudy farm buildings. The wrecked truck and its four victims, were carried past the Rudy home, where Mrs. Rudy was in the barn cleaning out a milk tank. She said she heard a "bump" at the time of the impact, but thought it could have been a noise made by cows, shuffling in their stalls.
INQUEST PLANNED
Dr. C. C. Belyea, coroner, said an inquest will be held. He described the victims' injuries as "very extensive" and was of the opinion death was instantaneous. "It was one of the worst tragedies I have seen in this area," he said. A postmortem was performed on Mr. Rudy, at K-W Hospital today. Howard Hicks, 43 Chrisholme Ave., Toronto, in charge of the train, told Waterloo Township Chief Livingstone, he noticed the truck on the tracks but was unable to halt the diesel in time. The truck started to fall apart after it reached a laneway, directly behind the Rudy home, more than a quarter mile from the main crossing. DEBRIS STREWN
A wheel with chains, a hubcap and other pieces of debris were strewn along the tracks. The crossing where the tragedy took place has no signals and is unlighted. There were no known witnesses. Police said the truck's tires left 21 feet of skid marks, leading to the tracks. One theory is that the truck, a 1953 model, stalled on the tracks. The accident occurred at 4: 35 p.m. A member of the train crew notified police. Chief Livingstone said there haxe been many tragic accidents in the township, but I think this is one of the worst in which I have taken a part in the investigation Assisting the chief were constables, John Stevenson, Nyle Soehner and Donald Herman. Chief Livingstone removed the bodies from the twisted wreckage.
SURVIVORS LISTED
Besides his wife, Mr. Rudy is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rudy, RR 1, Hespeler: two brothers, Arthur of Waterloo and Wilfred of Edmonton; three sisters, Mrs. Homer (Anna) Burkhardt, RR 5, Galt: Mrs. Melvin (Margaret) Bearinger, RR 3, Waterloo and Mrs. Jesse (Lucile) Markle, RR 1, Hespeler. Mrs. Rudy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Lichti, live at 236 Alexandra Ave., Waterloo. The former Erma Lichti, Mrs. Rudy was once employed at the John Forsyth Ltd. plant in Waterloo. The bodies are at the Harry K. Stager Funeral Home, 566 Queen St., Preston, until Friday night. Funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, at 2: 30 p.m., at the Wanner Mennonite Church, Beaverdale (near Hespeler). Rev. Merle Shantz will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining Wanner Mennonite Cemetery.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 8 Jan 1959 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-386647

Notes:

Truck Hit On Breslau Area Line

A Breslau district farmer and his three young children, were killed instantly late yesterday afternoon, when their pick-up truck was struck by a twin-diesel freight train, on township road 1, near Shantz Station. Dead are Howard Levi Rudy, 43, of RR 2. Breslau; his two daughters, Nancy Ann, 10 and Phyllis Marie, 8 and son, Walter Eugene, 5. The accident took place on a railway crossing at the Waterloo-Wellington county line, only a few hundred yards from the Rudy farm laneway and about 10 miles east of Kitchener. RETURN FROM SCHOOL
Mr. Rudy was returning from Vance School, about 11/2 miles south of his farm, after picking up his two daughters. The young boy, who doesn't attend school, went along for the ride. The truck was struck on the passenger side of its cab, by the westbound freight train, wrapped itself around the front of the engine and was carried down the tracks for half a mile. The railway tracks run parallel to the Rudy farm buildings. The wrecked truck and its four victims, were carried past the Rudy home, where Mrs. Rudy was in the barn cleaning out a milk tank. She said she heard a "bump" at the time of the impact, but thought it could have been a noise made by cows, shuffling in their stalls.
INQUEST PLANNED
Dr. C. C. Belyea, coroner, said an inquest will be held. He described the victims' injuries as "very extensive" and was of the opinion death was instantaneous. "It was one of the worst tragedies I have seen in this area," he said. A postmortem was performed on Mr. Rudy, at K-W Hospital today. Howard Hicks, 43 Chrisholme Ave., Toronto, in charge of the train, told Waterloo Township Chief Livingstone, he noticed the truck on the tracks but was unable to halt the diesel in time. The truck started to fall apart after it reached a laneway, directly behind the Rudy home, more than a quarter mile from the main crossing. DEBRIS STREWN
A wheel with chains, a hubcap and other pieces of debris were strewn along the tracks. The crossing where the tragedy took place has no signals and is unlighted. There were no known witnesses. Police said the truck's tires left 21 feet of skid marks, leading to the tracks. One theory is that the truck, a 1953 model, stalled on the tracks. The accident occurred at 4: 35 p.m. A member of the train crew notified police. Chief Livingstone said there haxe been many tragic accidents in the township, but I think this is one of the worst in which I have taken a part in the investigation Assisting the chief were constables, John Stevenson, Nyle Soehner and Donald Herman. Chief Livingstone removed the bodies from the twisted wreckage.
SURVIVORS LISTED
Besides his wife, Mr. Rudy is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Rudy, RR 1, Hespeler: two brothers, Arthur of Waterloo and Wilfred of Edmonton; three sisters, Mrs. Homer (Anna) Burkhardt, RR 5, Galt: Mrs. Melvin (Margaret) Bearinger, RR 3, Waterloo and Mrs. Jesse (Lucile) Markle, RR 1, Hespeler. Mrs. Rudy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Lichti, live at 236 Alexandra Ave., Waterloo. The former Erma Lichti, Mrs. Rudy was once employed at the John Forsyth Ltd. plant in Waterloo. The bodies are at the Harry K. Stager Funeral Home, 566 Queen St., Preston, until Friday night. Funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, at 2: 30 p.m., at the Wanner Mennonite Church, Beaverdale (near Hespeler). Rev. Merle Shantz will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining Wanner Mennonite Cemetery.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 8 Jan 1959 pg 1