Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
Charles Arthur Cornell

KILLED IN HOLIDAY CRASH


  A Sage Township man lost his life early Sunday morning when he was thrown out of his car and it rolled on top of him following a collision on M-61 east of Gladwin. Killed in the crash was Charles Arthur Cornell, 34, father of four children, Sheriff's officers said Cornell's vechicle was struck in the rear by one driven by Linwood Clark, 25, of Gladwin. They said Cornell apparently lost control of his vehicle after the collision, and it went into the ditch and rolled over. Cornell was tossed out and his car turned over and came to rest with all four wheels in the air, pinning him underneath.

  Riding with Cornell were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wheeler, who escaped with severe bruises, Mrs Wheeler told officers she was also thrown from the car and that she pulled her husband to safety through a broken window and tried to aid Cornell. They were examined at the Gladwin Hospital and releashed. Mrs. Wheeler suffered lacerations and bruises to her leg and shoulder and Wheeler chest injuries.

  Motorists and nearby residents arriving at the scene tried to push and roll the car over to free Cornell and a car was also used but the effort failed. The rescuers were driven back when the smashed vehicle burst into flames and halted further attempts. An autopsy was held Sunday to determine the cause of death. Coroner Gerald Miner said the examination indicated the victim died of suffocation from the weight of the car and inhalation of smoke. Death apparently came swiftly, he said. The Conservation department's fire truck was called to extinguish the blaze before a wrecker could pull the car over.

  Officers said, Clark told them he was following the Cornell car and suddenly saw the light of a car approaching on the wrong side of the highway. He said he hit his brakes and pulled his car to the right at the same time Cornell appartently saw it and attempted to brake his vehicle. He said his car struck the Cornell automobile on the right rear corner with its left front corner and apparently caused it to careen out of control. Clark and his passenger, James Hinkley, received only minor injuries.

  A lifetime county resident, Charles Arthur Cornell was born in Beaverton on May 14, 1927, and was married to the former Miss Dorothy Willford on July 4, 1945, in Beaverton. He had been employed as a crane operator for Cornell Construction and Ernest Korkoske, and spent two years in the armed services.

  Surviving besides his wife, two daughters, Linda Sue and Helen Louise, two sons, Charles Allen and James Herbert; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cornell; three brothers, Allen, James, and William, of Beaverton; and seven sisters, Mrs. Hazel White, Mrs. Katherine Stillwagon, Mrs. Hilda Folts, of Beaverton, Mrs. Helen Yeager, of Bay City, Mrs. June Buck, of Farmington, and Mrs. Mary Hansen.

  Funeral services were held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at the Hall Funeral Home. The Rev. D. Dravenstatt officiated and burial was in Beaverton Cemeter.

{Note: Actual Recorded Date of Death is: unk. Name: Charles Arthur Cornell}
 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
unk
Beaverton Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
unk
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
7/5/1961
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:1 C:5
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
January 2005
Tom Ladner
Microfilm
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