OBITUARY - Plain Dealer, Wabash (IN)
CHARLES DLUZAK FATALLY HURT IN ROAD MISHAP
PAUL DLUZAK AND DR. J.T. STEFFEN ALSO INJURED IN WRECK

One motorist was fatally hurt and two others were injured, one seriously in an auto collision at a crossroad on State Highway 13, one mile north of Speicherville, Monday afternoon.

The dead man was Charles H. Dluzak, 62 years old, Wabash R.R. 4, who suffered concussion of the brain, a crushed chest and possible hip injury.

Injured persons were Paul E. Dluzak, 26, son of the decedent, who is a patient in the Wabash County hospital, where he was reported to have made some improvement Tuesday, but remained in a critical condition. He suffered concussion of the brain. Tuesday forenoon, the attending physician said the youth had regained consciousness on several occasions but had not become rational. Dr. J.T. Steffen, Wabash physician, suffered concussion of the brain, sprains, bruises, contusions and cuts on the face. He sustained considerable shock immediately after the accident, but had recovered from his condition Tuesday. His injuries were not termed serious. Incidentally the doctor observed his birthday anniversary Tuesday as a patient in the hospital.

Coroner Todd B. Bender, North Manchester, reported that Dluzak's death was due to the concussion and crushed chest. It was the fourth highway fatality in Wabash since V-J Day. State Trooper Paul Doherty, who investigated the mishap, said that young Dluzak, who was en route to a sale, apparently ran a stop sign, incoming onto State Road 13 from the east. There is no obstruction, such as growing corn, at the intersection. The state patrolman found that the Dluzak car entered the crossroads in the path of a southbound machine operated by Dr. Steffen. The doctor skidded his wheels 71 feet in seeking to avert the impact, but hit the right front part of the farmer's machine. Both vehicles careened into the nearby bridge. Investigation indicated that the elder Dluzak, who was riding in the right front seat, was hurled with considerable force against the right door, bending it outward. The injured motorists were removed to the hospital by ambulance. Mr. Dluzak died a short time later at 3:10 o'clock.

The body was taken to the Jones Funeral home and later removed to the residence on Wabash R.R. 4. Funeral services will be held in St. Bernard's Catholic Church of which he was a member, at 9 o'clock Thursday morning with the pastor, the Rev.Leo A. Hoffmann, officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery.

The decedent was born Feb. 19, 1883 in Remington, the son of Charles and Catherine (Ullum) Dluzak, but had been a resident of this county for 38 years. He was a farmer by occupation. He was married Feb. 9, 1915 in Wabash to Alice Carver. Survivors include the widow, and the following children, Paul Dluzak, Charles Dluzak, Alice C. Dluzak, William Dluzak in the Army, and Martha Dluzak at home. He also is survived by the following brothers and sisters, Lorene Bannister, Portland, Ore., John and Albert Dluzak, Remington, Tena Dluzak and Allie Peters, Remington, Florence Bucheau, Goodland, and Evelyn Hill, South Bend. A son, Eugene, preceded his father in death in 1935.