OBIT:

BODY IS FOUND IN DES MOINES RIVER
SAD FATE BEFALLS A FORMER OSKALOOSA MAN.

Mystery Surrounds Death of William Stommel Whose Remains Were Fished Out of the Water in Ottumwa Sunday.

United Press Dispatch.
Ottumwa, Iowa, April 27.--The body of a man supposed to be William Stommel, of Seevers, Ia., was found floating in the Des Moines river four miles west of Ottumwa yesterday. The discovery was made by a fisherman. Coroner Box took charge of the body and it was removed to Ottumwa. Letters in the pockets of the dead man's clothes were addressed to William Stommel, Seevers, Ia., and one to him at Oskaloosa. Also a certificate of membership to the Red Men's lodge of Seevers was found. The man is not known here. He was apparently 60 years old. The man had evidently been in the water two or three weeks. There are no marks of violence on the body. The remains are being held here pending the arrival of relatives.
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William Stommel was a former resident of Oskaloosa and for many years was in business here. The wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Stommel secured a divorce from the man several years ago but still resides in this city at No. 508 Sixth avenue east. The deceased was the father of George Stommel now of this city, Pete Stommel, of Hocking, and five daughters, Mrs. Jas. Lewis, Des Moines; Mrs. Frank Sparks, Kansas City; Mrs. Roy Hartman, Oskaloosa; Mrs. Lizzie McMaines, Oskaloosa; and Miss Tressie Stommer, Oskaloosa.

Mr. Stommel had been engaged in mining during the past several years and had made fairly good money. He came to the city a few weeks ago for a visit with friends, He greeted old time friends and acquaintances and was in the best of health and spirits. He seemed well provided with funds and left here three weeks ago today, supposedly to visit with his son at Hocking.

Mrs. Jas. Lewis, of Des Moines, arrived in the city this morning so that all of the seven children are here with the exception of Mrs. Sparks of Kansas City. Pete Stommel left his morning for Ottumwa and will return this evening with his father's remains. Funeral services will be conducted from the home at 508 Sixth avenue east, Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock,with interment in Forest Cemetery.

Oskaloosa Daily Herald, April 27 1908