Lyle O. Sherman
Feb. 4, 1925-April 15, 1938
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 16, 1938, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
LYLE SHERMAN DIES IN BERRIEN'S NINTH FATAL CRASH OF '38
Chicago Motorist Driver of Death Auto
Inquest is Called
Physician is Held Pending Outcome of Inquiry
Tragedy late Friday night ended a vacation bicycle jaunt for Lyle Sherman, 13-year-old son of Mr.and Mrs. William Sherman, 502 North State street.
Lyle died in Pawating hospital soon after he was hurled from his bicycle by a car driven by Dr. George E. Lindemulder, Chicago. His death raised the Berrien county traffic fatality toll for 1938 to nine.
Death resulted from a fractured neck. The left side of the boy's head was badly crushed, and his left leg was nearly severed just above the ankle.
Lindemulder Held
Lindemulder is being held in the Niles police station by Deputy J.L. McOmber pending an inquest called for 2 o'clock this afternoon in the city hall. Coroner Louis Kerlikowske will conduct the investigation.
Lyle and his friend, William Hargreaves, son of Mr.and Mrs. John E. Hargreaves, 211 North Lincoln avenue, were returning from a long bicycle ride on UW-31 when the accident occurred.
He had carried his route for the Daily Star and in the evening borrowed his younger brother bicycle for a ride. A spring night and good road lured the boys farther from home than they had intended to ride. They were hastening home when Lyle was struck.
The were occupying the outer lane of the four-lane highway with Sherman riding on the inside. The tragedy occurred just north of the Avon Inn, about three miles south of Niles.
Failed to See Boys
Lindemulder, also driving north , said he was traveling about 50 miles per hour. He said another car passed him at the time and he failed to see the boys in time to avoid hitting Sherman with the right side of his car.
A member of Miss Stella Heath's 7th grade advisory in Niles junior high school, Lyle was born in Lawton, Feb. 4, 1924. He moved to Niles with his parents shortly after birth.
Services Monday
Beside his parents, he leaves an older brother, Elmer E., another Daily Star carrier, and a younger brother, Vaughn R., both at home; also his grandmothers, Mrs. Ellen Sherman, Lakeview, and Mrs. Mae Baldwin, Lawton.
The body was taken to the Turner and Pifer funeral home where friends may call.
Services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in the funeral home with the Rev. C.J. Harpeld of the First Baptist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.