Wilbur W. Krueger
April 22, 1911-Dec. 20, 1958
Niles Daily Star, Monday, Dec. 22, 1958, page 1, col. 4, and page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Grand Jury to Sift Evidence in Fatal Crash
Will Determine Charge Against Man in Crash Killing 3 Niles Men
SOUTH BEND--The St. Joseph County prosecutor's office today was compiling evidence from the car-truck crash on the St. Joseph County Elkhart County Line Road which killed three Niles railroad men early Saturday for presentation to a grand jury.
The evidence will be presented to the next grand jury which convenes the first week of February, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Plodowski. It was understood the grand jury's investigation will determine whether the truck driver, Robert DeGraff, 45, of 1130 East Cedar Street, South Bend, will be charged as a result of the accident.
DeGraff was the driver of a flatbed semi-trailer loaded with 17 1/2 tons of bricks that collided nearly head-on with a car driven by Stanley A. Lundberg, 34 of 1804 Howard Street, Niles. With Lundberg were Robert LeRoy Bosler, 30 of 624 Woodruff Street, Niles, and Wilbur William Krueger, 47, of 2253 Lake Street, Niles.
All three died as their southbound car cracked into the northbound truck on the two lane road. The Niles men were car inspectors at the new Robert Young yards of the New York Central Railroad, Elkhart.
* * *
DeGraff was not injured. He was held for questioning by St. Joseph County sheriff's deputies on a charge of driving on the wrong side of the road. However, the charge was dropped and DeGraff released later in the day.
Captain Ellsworth Hartz, of the sheriff's office, said evidence at the scene indicates DeGraff's truck was in the southbound lane. DeGraff told deputies he swerved his truck to avoid striking the Niles men's car which had crossed the center line. There were no eye witnesses.
State Police, led by trooper Kenton F. Zumbaugh, also investigated the accident.
Plodowski said his office will present photographs of the accident, plus statements taken by authorities and any other physical evidence when the grand jury convenes.
* * *
MEANWHILE in Niles, funeral services were arranged for the victims.
Services for Stanley A. Lundberg were held at 2 p.m. today in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the Rev. Gordon Everett, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery. Arangements were handled by the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home.
Surviving are his widow, Evelyn Jr., two sons, Raymond and Dale, and a daughter, Judy all at home; his parents Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lundberg, of Niles; five sisters, Mrs. Edward VanTilburg, of Galien; Mrs. Edward Moore, of Niles; Mrs. Leon Williams, of Buchanan, Mrs. Harold Hall, of Niles; and Mrs. Ray Gillentine, of Niles; three brothers, Roy W., John R. and Richard, all of Niles.
Mr. Lundberg was born in Niles April 19, 1924, and lived here all his life. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Services for Mr. Bosler will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Catholic Church here with the Rev. Jerome Schmitt, assistant pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at the Pifer Funeral Home where friends may call.
A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Bosler was born Aug. 13, 1928 in Niles and had lived his entire life here. He was employed as a car repairman by the New York Central Roalroad[sic].
Surviving are: his mother, Mrs. Gladys Bosler, of Niles; his widow, Mary, and a son and daughter, Frank and Patricia, both at home.
* * *
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) for Wilbur Krueger. The pastor the Rev. Herbert Meussling, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until noon Tuesday.
Mr. Krueger, a car inspector for the New York Central, was born April 22, 1911, Michigan City, Ind., and came to Niles in 1919.
Surviving are: the widow Jane; two daughter[sic], Sharon, at home, and Mrs. Homer Madden, of Niles; four sisters, Mrs. Harley Frantz, Mrs. Jack T. Schwartz, Mrs. Robert Clark and Mrs. Jack Laymon, all of Niles, and six brothers, Harvey, Ott, William, Lawrence and Henry Krueger, all of Niles, and LeRoy Krueger of Berrien Springs.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1958, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library
KRUEGER RITES HELD
Services for Wilbur W. Krueger of Niles who died in a traffic accident Saturday near Osceola, Ind., were conducted Tuesday at St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) by the Rev. H.A. Messling, pastor. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery. In addition to other survivors listed previously, Mr. Krueger is survived by two granddaughters and several nieces and nephews.