Obit: Sylla, Ralph (1930 - 1965)

Contact stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Sylla, Zimmerman, Asselin, Winberg, Smick, Patrick

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 06/17/1965

Sylla, Ralph (2 MAR 1930 - 11 JUN 1965)

An early morning collision at the driveway to a bowling alley south of Stanley Friday fatally injured a Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.) man and put two other persons in the hospital.

Dead is Ralph Sylla, 35, Thorp, who lived about an hour and twenty minutes after being taken to Stanley Victory Memorial Hospital.

Sylla was driving a 1965 Cehvrolet after bowling at the Little Club, one half miles south of Stanley. His wife, Violet, 23, expecting a child in two months, was a passenger.

Sylla's car and a 1959 Pontiac headed south and drive by Arthur Zimmerman, 41, of Stanley, collided about 12:10 a.m., according to the Chippewa County Traffic Officer's report. Both vehicles were demolished in the crash and ended up alongside the highway just south of the driveway entrance.

Mrs. Sylla was hospitalized with a broken arm, head injuries, and numerous cuts and bruises. Zimmerman, who is employed by a wrecking yard at Stanley, received injuries to the face and head, and is also hospitalized. The injured were taken to the hospital by an ambulance from Boyd.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church here. The Rev. Roy Mish officiated at the Requiem High Mass,a dn the Rev. Francis Brockman and the Rev. Edward Masalewicz assisted. Burial was made in St. Hedwig's Cemetery.

The Thorp American Legion conducted the military rites.

Mr. Sylla was born March 2, 1930, in Independence, and received his education in the public and parochial schools there. His marriage to Violet Asselin took place June 18, 1961. He had worked on his father's farm near Independence, and then served in the U.S. Army. Seven years ago he came to Thorp and was employed by the Tri-State Breeders Cooperative as a technician.

Survivors include his wife, a son, David, and three daughters, Debbie, Kathy and Mary, all at home; his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sylla, Independence; four brother, Leonard, Albert and Gerald, Independence; and William, Elmwood; and three sisters, Mrs. Claude (Veronica) Winberg, Independence; Mrs. Dominic (Marion) Smick, Durand; and Mrs. Gene (Jean) Patrick, Eau Claire.