Jon Wesley Atkinson
Nov. 22, 1944-Nov. 29, 1963
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 30, 1963, page 1, col. 8, continued page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
NILES YOUTH KILLED IN CRASH
Two Companions Hurt Seriously
EAU CLAIRE—A Niles youth was killed and two companions were injured when their auto crashed into a tree and flipped over near here, Friday afternoon.
Jon Wesley Atkinson, 19, of 2280 Warren Road, Niles, was pronounced dead on arrival at Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor. He had suffered severe arm, leg, body and internal injuries.
Listed in “guarded condition” this morning at the hospital were Donald Yonker Jr., 18, of 540 Lake St., Niles and John Middleton, 18, of 1047 Almaugus Drive, Niles.
YONKER, the driver of the auto, suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries. Middleton suffered severe head cuts, a fractured right ankle and minor cuts and bruises.
Berrien County sheriff's deputies said the car was headed west on Cushing Road, near Brush Lake road, east of here, about 4:10 p.m. Friday when the mishap occurred.
The auto went out of control on a slight hill, over a six-foot embankment and smashed int o the tree. The three youths were thrown from the car as it flipped over on its top, the deputies reported.
Deputies said a manslaughter investigation is continuing. Atkinson's death raises this year's county toll to 42, one less than at this time last year.
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ATKINSON was born Nov. 22. 1944, in Alma. He came to Niles from Ft. Worth, Tex., in 1958. He was a student at Western Michigan University.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Atkinson; grandparents Mrs. Esther Grosenburg, Rogers City, and Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Atkinson, Frederic; a brother, William, Barron Lake; and three sisters, Mrs. Clarence Hamilton, Phoenix, Ariz., Miss Yvonne Cummins, Chicago, and Mrs. Richard Davis, Orlando, Fla.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends are being received at the funeral home.