Leola Shephard
Nov. 23, 1945-May 11, 1971
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co, MI), Wednesday, May 12, 1971, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Woman in coma two years dies
NILES―Mrs. Leola Shephard, 26, Mendon, Mich., who had been in a coma since she was injured in an auto accident Nov. 15, 1968, died at 3 p.m. Monday in Saginaw County Hospital.
The fiery US-12 crash more than two years ago killed three persons, including Mrs. Shephard's 7-year-old son.
Local volunteer efforts by community members and Andrews University students to educate brain cells not damaged in the injured Mrs. Shephard were somewhat encouraging, although she never came out of a coma. Mrs. Shephard spent more than two years in Pawating Hospital.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest; two daughters, Sheila and Donna, both at home; three brothers, Lee Brachen of Mississippi and Larry and Charles Brachen of Texas; two sisters, Mrs. Robert Wine of Texas and Linda Brachen of Mississippi.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Carl Thurston of the Pentecostal Church of Three Rivers officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home.