Haynes Youth Instantly
Killed By Shotgun Blast
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John A. Kudla, seventeen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Kudla of Haynes Township, met instant death at 4:30 o'clock Sunda afternoon, October 16, from a gunshot wound resulting from the accidental discharge of a shot gun in the hands of a companion, Chester Szuber, 13.
The two boys and their hunting companions, Edward Janusz, 16, and Richard Rice, 14, had returned from the hunting woods to the latters parental home, the Mike Rice's. They were gathered in the yard at the home. The victim had laid his shot gun on the well platform, apparently forgetting to remove the shells. It was picked up by Szuber who testified that it exploded as he picked it up, and the discharge struck the victim in the center of the forehead.
A formal investigation of the shooting was conducted Wednesday by Judge of Probate George Freer, Duran Smith, Coroner, Corp. Davis of Alpena State Police and Prosecuting Attorney J. R. Hughes. The three boys told their stories and Mrs. Mike Rice also testified. The youths were completely absolved of blame in the unfortunate accident.
Obituary
John A. Kudla was born in Poland on September 21, 1932. The family lived in Cleveland, Ohio before coming to Alcona County about a year ago when they purchased the Walter Slater farm in Haynes Township.
John was a member of the Junior Class of Harrisville High School. Before coming to Harrisville he attended St. John's Cantious High School in Cleveland. He excelled in sports and won a letter in basketball from that school. He was a leading player on the Harrisville High School basketball team last season and also on the baseball team. He was popular and well liked by the students and teachers of the school.
Surviving are his bereaved parents and one sister, Maxine. His grandparents live in Poland.
Funeral services were held at ten o'clock Thursday morning at the St. Anne Church in Harrisville, Rev. Fr. A. Narloch officiating. Burial took place in St. Anne Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Chester Szuber, Milton Steadman, Richard Rice, Edward Janusz, Ralph Cushion and John Priest. Honorary pallbearers were Earl Vinson, Milo Atchison, Clifford Gauthier, Edward MacGregor, Raymond Cosea, George Holmes, Kenneth Ferguson and James Cook.
The student body from grade eight through twelve formed a double line from the street to the church entrance through which the funeral cortege advanced.