Notes for Chester Dee Gerkin

Family Group Sheet

Notes for Chester Dee Gerkin

Obit
Contributed by, Cathy BeardGERKIN, DeeThe badly mangled body of Dee Gerkin, 38 years old, who was believed to have fallen from a train and run over, was found strewn along the Monon right-of-way a short distance north of Salem, Monday morning about seven o'clock.A bridge contractor, Gilbert Gould of Campbellsburg, starting out to work, made the discovery. It was reported that first a leg was found near the reduction plant and further south along the track, the remainder of the body was discovered. An arm had been severed, the head badly crushed and the condition of the remainder of the body indicated that it had probably been dragged quite a distance by the train before it was thrown clear.Further investigation led authorities to believe that a south bound train had killed Gerkin, but the number of the train is not known. Passenger train No. 3 and through freight trains No. 73 and No. 75 had passed along this point Sunday night and early Monday morning. The victim's wife, Mrs. Dorothy Gerkin, made the statement this morning that she believed he had boarded one of the freight trains at Mitchell, with the intention of coming to Orleans, unaware that it was a through train and did not stop here. When the train slowed down near Salem he attempted to alight and fell beneath the cars.The dead man was identified by a letter on his person, addressed to him and sent by the Welfare Department of Lawrence County. According to a statement made by Mrs. M. L. Veatch, their representative, Gerkin had visited the welfare office some time ago and made application for blind assistance. She attempted to contact him later but was unable to do so and the letter asking him to call at the office again, was left at the home of his parents near Georgia. He had never responded to the letter. The remains were taken to the Robertson Funeral Home in Salem, the proprietor of which is the Washington County coroner. Mrs. Gerkin here was notified and went to Salem that afternoon to identify the body. The remains were later removed to the Ochs Funeral Home here and yesterday morning were taken to the home to lie in state until the funeral hour.The deceased was born and reared in Martin County, the son of Ralph and Alice Gerkin. He spent his youth in the vicinity of his birth and on December 23, 1923, was married to Dorothy Easley. They established a home in Orleans and to their union were born three children, a daughter, Norma and two sons, Eugene and Richard. Together with his wife and three children he is survived by his father, a step-mother and one brother, Estel of Georgia. His mother and three sisters preceded him in death.For eleven years after his marriage Mr. Gerkin was employed by the Monon railway on a track maintenance crew, but was forced to give up his work because his eyesight became impaired. Recognized as a talented fiddler, he was given an instructor's assignment in the W. P. A.'s educational program a few years ago. This he held for three years, until the program was discontinued. He was also recently employed in the tie yards of A. O. Brewer at Mitchell, but for the past few weeks had been with his father near Georgia. He was a member of the Orleans Baptist Church and here funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at two o'clock, in charge of Rev. R. M. Boston, the church pastor. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.