Henrietta Joyce Coffinger
April 13, 1934-July 25, 1948
Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 26, 1948, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
3 KILLED IN COUNTY CRASHES
Niles Girl One of Two Victims of US-112 Smash
Cassopolis and Three Oaks Young Men Also Victim of Car Crack-Ups
Three persons were counted dead today in Berrien county traffic mishaps that boosted this county's toll of highway dead to 27.
Two persons, including a young Niles woman, were killed Sunday night in a two-car collision one half mile east of the city limits on US-112. A Three Oaks man was killed when a car in which he was riding struck a tree.
Two Escape Death in Fire
Two other persons escaped a flaming death as they crawled from their overturned car north of Niles on M-40 last night, shortly before the car burst into flames. [See story elsewhere on the page.]
The accident dead are:
Henrietta Joyce Coffinger, 14-year-old daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Frank Coffinger of 627 South Fifth street, Niles.
Arthur J. Eaglesbarger, 20, Cassopolis.
William Eugen Cramer, 27, son of Mr.and Mrs. Clarence Cramer of rural route one, Three Oaks.
Miss Coffinger and Eaglebarger were passengers in a car driven by Hayes W. Smith, 715 Bryant strteet, Niles, which was hit and virtually telescoped by an automobile driven by James William Peak, 1702 Emerson street, South Bend. Charles Layman, 35, 514 Noline street, South Bend, was a passenger in the Peak vehicle.
Slippery Road Blamed
The accident occured[sic] shortly before 8 p.m. last night. Police said Smith stated a car stopped in front of him, When he applied the brakes, his vehicle skidded across the road in the path of the oncoming vehicle. It has been raining about 15 minutes before the mishap. The front of the Peak car smashed through the right side of the Hayes auto, throwing the occupants out the left door, officers said.
Miss Coffinger died at 8:45 p.m. after being admitted to Pawating hospital. Eaglebarger was believed to have been killed almost instantly. Smith and Peak both suffered severe lacerations on the face and head. Layman suffered a fractured left arrm, possible jaw fracture and other injuries. All were given a good chance to recover.
Coroner Louis Kerlikowske stated an inquest would be held.
Ninth Grade Student
Born April 13, 1934, in Niles, Miss Coffinger had spent her entire life here. She would have entered the ninth grade at Central high school this fall.
Besides her parents, she is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Doroth Nichols, Niles, Mrs. Annabelle Curtis, Pokagon, and June Coffinger, at home; and six brothers, George Eau Claire, Henry, Benaana, and Frank Thomas, Paul,and Russell, all at home.
Friends will be received at the Kiger funeral home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. . Wednesday at the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church, of which she was a member. The Rev. Theo Eisen, retired pastor, will officiate,and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 29, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
COFFINGER RITES HELD
Girl friends of Henrietta Joyce Coffinger, 14, acted as pallbearers at last rites conducted for her yesterday in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church. Interment was in Silverbrook cemetery.
Pallbearers were Patsy Lou Monahon, Lois Kather, Alice Reed, Vivian Geishirt, Jane Rhodes and Beverly Gray. Flower girls were Marilyn Grabner and Verna Geishirt.
Miss Coffinger lost her life in a highway accident last Sunday.