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Tragedy at Ringwood, Okla., Takes Lives of Six in One Family
ORLEY SCHROEDER AND FIVE CHILDREN DIED AS RESULT OF EXPLOSION AND FIRE
Friends in Oklahoma and Kansas were shocked to hear of the tragic death of Orley Schroeder and five children at Ringwood, Okla., who shortly before Christmas lost their lives in or following an explosion and fire which completely destroyed their farm home near Ringwood. The accident happened Saturday night, Dec. 18.
A large crowd of grief-stricken relatives and friends attended the funeral for the six victims held at the Holdeman church southeast of Fairview, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 22.
The Enid (Okla.) Morning News of Dec. 21 gives the following details of the tragedy:
"Mrs. Schroeder, only surviving member of the family of seven, was suffering considerably last night but it was believed she would recover. She received superficial facial burns and severe burns on hands and feet. She remains at the local hospital where she was taken after the fire and where three of the children, Toby, 13, Rowena, 11, and John, 4, died Sunday.
"Mr. Schroeder and two children, Susie Jane, 9, and Geneva, 11 months, perished in the fire which was caused by gasoline which exploded as Mr. Schroeder was filling a gasoline cook stove in the same room in which a kerosene lamp was burning.
"The Schroeder family had resided at Ringwood for about six years having come to Oklahoma from Lehigh, Kans.
"Survivors include Mr. Schroeder's mother, Mrs. Susie Schroeder of near Longdale; his two sisters, Mrs. Edna Buller and Mrs. Iva Eicher, both of Foley, Ala.; and brother, Edward Schroeder of California. Also surviving are Mrs. Schroeder's mother, Mrs. Henry Boehs, and brother, Dave Boehs, both of Ringwood; and a sister Mrs. Ervina Ratzlaff, Lehigh, Kans."
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(EDITOR'S NOTE: In publishing these brief annals of six members of the Orley Schroeder family so suddenly and tragically called away at their home near Ringwood, Okla., on December 18 and 19, the Review joins the hundreds of friends in extending deepest sympathy to the surviving widow and mother.
May God, whose heart is infinite compassion, grant His comfort and strength.)
Orley Schroeder was born in McPherson county, Kansas, November 26, 1906. He died December 18, 1943, at the age of 37 years and 19 days.
Tobe Irven Schroeder was born January 2, 1930, and died December 19, 1943, at 2:45 A. M. at the age of 13 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Rolena May Schroeder was born November 30, 1931, and died December 19, 19543, at 5:30 A.M. at the age of 12 years and 19 days.
Susie Jane Schroeder was born June 25, 1935, and died December 18, 1943, at 8:45 P.M. at the age of 8 years, 5 months and 23 days.
John Dale Schroeder was born April 7, 1939, and died December 19, 1943, at 11:30 A.M. at the age of 4 years, 8 months and 12 days.
Geneva Marie Schroeder was born January 11, 1943, and died December 18, 1943, at 8:45 P.M. at the age of 11 months and 7 days.
Orley, the father of this family, was united in marriage with Dena Boehs at Ulysses, Kansas, March 29, 1929. After they were married they made their home at Ulysses, Kansas, for several years. Here their three oldest children were born.
In fall of 1937 they came to Oklahoma, making their home on a farm near Ringwood. Here the two younger children were born.
Saturday night, December 18, at about 8:45, a gasoline stove tank exploded, throwing gasoline and fire over the whole room and its occupants. The father and two children, Susie Jane and the baby, Geneva Marie, perished in the flames. Tobe Irven, Rolena May and John Dale, whom the mother somehow managed to get out of the fire, died later at the General Hospital at Enid, Oklahoma.
Soon after they were gotten out of the fire, the children were taken to the neighbors for shelter where they were fully conscious of what was going on, even though their bodies were terribly burned.
While waiting for the ambulance, they sang, "Silent Night, Holy Night." After singing, Tobe Irven said, "Listen folks, whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be save." In the hospital they told their mother and others that Jesus was taking them home. The grief striken [sic] mother, who is the only one left alive, is also in the hospital severally [sic] burned.
Other near relatives are: Orley's mother, Mrs. Susie Schroeder of Longdale, Oklahoma; one brother, Edward Schroeder of Livingston, California; two sisters, Mrs. Iva Eicher of Foley, Alabama; and Mrs. Edna Buller of Silver Hill, Alabama. To the children the above would be their grandmother, uncle and aunts. From their mother's side there remains another grandmother, Mrs. Lena Boehs of Ringwood,Oklahoma; another uncle, David Boehs of Ringwood and another aunt, Mrs. Alvina Ratzlaff of Lehigh, Kans.
Husband, Children, Loved Ones: Can it be that you have left me? In this sad world of care and woes to bear my burdens all alone. God hath loved you more than I, so he came and took you home. Now my prayer and longing is: May I meet you in that Heavenly Home. — Mother.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, December 24, 1943, in the Fairview Mennonite Church near Fairview, Oklahoma, with the home minister in charge. The bodies were laid to rest in the Cedar cemetery.
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