John Forman
| Date of Interment or Death | 10/19/1951 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 11-2-1 |
Obituary
John Forman Dies After Being Hit On Dakota Ave.
John Forman, who was struck by a car while crossing Dakota Avenue Saturday evening, died Tuesday morning at St. Francis hospital. A coroner’s jury viewed the body Tuesday and heard testimony from Dr. A. M. Thompson regarding the extent of Mr. Forman’s injuries, then adjourned until Tuesday due to the absence of States Attorney, Patrick T. Milloy, who is in Florida this week.
Serving on the coroner’s jury are Lee Agnew, C. M. Comstock and Melvin Olson.
Funeral services have been set for Friday afternoon at two o’clock from Schmitt & Olson’s chapel. Dr. S. G. Schick pastor of First Congregational church will officiate at the rites for the pioneer resident who came here with his parents as a child.
Mrs. Mildred Johnson, assistant states attorney opened the hearing and the members of the jury viewed the body. Dr. A. M. Thompson testified as to the extent of injuries. The jury then adjourned to 9 a.m., Tuesday.
While no action was taken by the jury, it was decided to suggest to the family that an autopsy be performed to determine cause of death. The adjournment was then made so that the inquest might be conducted by the states attorney, who is now in Miami attending the Legion convention.
The accident happened Saturday evening when Forman was crossing Dakota Avenue near the Coast to Coast store. Drive of the car which struck him was 18 year old Donald Nickerson of Cairo, Mich., who is with the Air Force unit here.
The Wahpeton man was hit by the front bumper and shoved to the side onto the pavement. He suffered a broken pelvis, dislocated shoulder and bruises. Nickerson did not stop but dove a couple of blocks down the street, then made a U-turn. Returned he saw a crowd of people, became frightened and drove on. Later he went to the sheriff’s office and stammered, “I had an accident. I hit a man. I think I killed him.”
He was held in jail overnight, then released to the custody of the air force. He is attending classes in the clerk-typist course he is taking at the local school at this time.
In reporting the accident Nickerson told Patrolman Arthur Anderson that he thought he hit something on Dakota Avenue, but that because of the rainy weather and poor visibility he did not see anyone. Pau Deblin of Flint, Mich., was riding with Nickerson at the time of the accident.
John Forman was born in Muscoda, Wis., January 2 1873. While still a child he came to North Dakota with his parents, who homesteaded two miles south of Wahpeton. He spent his entire life in this community, working as a general mechanic and painter.
He married and established a home in the south part of the town for his wife and the three sons born to them. One son Woodrow, preceded his father in death, dying Jan. 7, 1914. Surviving are his wife, Annie Forman, who lives with her son, Ralph, in Chicago, and Harold Forman, who is in Germany with the U.S. Army.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Polly Small of Seattle, Wash. Brothers and sisters who survive are Frank Forman of Culver City, Calif., Charles of Wahpeton; Fred Forman, Plentywood, Mont.; Emma Haire of San Francisco, Calif., Mrs. John Sandvig of Great Falls, Mont.
Interment will be made in Fairview Cemetery.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.