Linda Faye Darnell
Nov. 29, 1948-June 12, 1966
Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 13, 1966; page 1, microfilm, Niles District Library
SMASHUP KILLS NILES GIRL, 17
Linda Darnell Dies After Indiana Crash
MISHAWAKA - A Thursday Niles High School graduate was killed in an early Sunday accident that ripped her auto apart.
Linda Darnell, 17, of 1402 Regent St., died at St. Joseph Hospital here about three hours after the mishap on New Road about nine miles south of Mishawaka.
TWO PASSENGERS in the auto remain in area hospitals today:
Gene Bella, 19, of 1559 S. 11th St., “fairly good” condition at the Mishawaka hospital with arm and body cuts and bruises.
William Cox, 19, of 1529 Country Club Drive, “satisfactory” condition at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, with cuts, bruises and severe upper lip cut.
St. Joseph County sheriff deputies said Miss Darnell died at 4:56 a.m. Sunday of severe internal and external injuries.
An auto operated by Miss Darnell was traveling west on New Road about 1:50 a.m. Sunday and attempted to pass another westbound car, the deputies said.
Facing an eastbound auto, Miss Darnell swerved her car to the right and it went out of control, skidding some 230 feet, the deputies reported.
THE CAR crashed into a tree stump and flipped over, ripping apart, the deputies added. The auto Miss Darnell was driving was owned by Robert Cox, 1829 County Club Drive, according to the deputies report.
A blue-eyed blonde, Miss Darnell was among the entrants in this year’s Miss Niles contest. She received her diploma in Thursday night Niles High School graduation ceremonies. She was born in Niles in November, 1948, and was a life-time resident of the Niles community.
SURVIVING in addition to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bell, of Niles, are a sister, Mrs. Charlene Kelems, Visalia, Calif.; two brothers Charles Darnell, Niles, and Robert Darnell, Lansing; and grandparents and Henry Charles Darnell, both of Bald Knob, Ark.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Gary Hickok, associate pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends are being received at the funeral home.