Raymond LeRoy 'Ray' Beller
(May 03, 1900 ~ July 04, 1933)

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RAY BELLER, 33,
DROWNS AS SPEED
BOAT OVERTURNS

His Wife and Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Moore Rescued
After Accident on
Lake Taneycomo.

BODY IS RECOVERED

Craft Capsizes as Moore
Pilots Boat into Waves of
Excursion Launch—Water
is 15 Feet Deep.

Special to The Globe.

Rockaway Beach, Mo., July 4. — Ray Beller, 33 years old, Joplin business man, was drowned and three other persons narrowly escaped a similar fate when a speed boat driven by Robert D. Moore, also of Joplin, was swamped in the wake of an excursion launch on Lake Taneycomo two miles west of here this afternoon.

In the boat with Beller and Moore were their wives. The other three were rescued after clinging to the overturned boat for a short time, but Beller, apparently stunned, lost his hold and disappeared.

Beller Appeared Dazed.
Beller's body was recovered with grappling hooks about 8 o'clock tonight near where his body was last seen, about 400 feet from the bank of the lake. The body was taken to the Whelchel Undertaking Company establishment at Branson, and later was taken to Joplin by the Frank-Sievers Undertaking Company of that place.

An inquest will be conducted at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning by Coroner Bob Thornhill.

The accident occurred near what is known as Sunset Inn dock. The water there is approximately twenty-five feet deep.

When the mishap occurred, Moore, who was wearing a life jacket, first turned his attention to aiding the women and then turned to aid Beller. The latter, ordinarily a good swimmer, appeared dazed and grappled with his friend.

Moore, however, shoved him to the boat and persuaded him to take hold of it. It was only a few minutes until a passing speed boat had reached the scene, but Beller slipped out of sight beneath the water as the rescue craft drew near. He did not reappear above the water, according to witnesses.

Ralph Winterholder of Joplin, who was in the speed boat which first appeared at the scene of the accident was instrumental in saving the life of Mrs. Beller, according to witnesses, dragging her from the water after she had started to sink the third time.

The excursion launch stopped but could not participate in the rescue. About twenty passengers witnessed the accident, which happened at 2:15 o'clock.

Moore was the only one in the speed boat wearing a life preserver, although life preservers for the three other persons were in the boat, it was said.

Moore was idling along in his speedy craft, equipped with an out-board motor, as the launch passed. He speeded up and nosed his boat into its wake, but failed to pick up enough speed and the bow went under, a second, wave overturning the craft, witnesses said.

Others In Party.
With the Moores and Bellers on a holiday party here were Mr. and Mrs. James Hunt and Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Ingram, all of Joplin.

The tragedy today was the first of its kind in the past ten years on Lake Taneycomo.
___

Mrs. J. R. Amos and Miss Mildred Henckel, sisters of Mrs. Catherine Beller, whose husband was drowned yesterday afternoon in Lake Taneycomo following a speed boat accident and who, herself, had a narrow escape, went to Branson late yesterday to accompany her sister to Joplin. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. McDonald, Verl Summerton and several other persona. The party is expected to arrive here early this morning.

A hearse of the Frank-Sievers Undertaking Company left shortly after midnight for Branson, and is expected to arrive here with Mr. Beller's body this morning.

Mr. Beller was manager of the Chickering Cement and Coal Company, and resided at 806 Porter avenue. He formerly was employed in the motor car department of the Joplin Supply Company, and was widely known.

Moore is employed as an engineer at the state highway department offices here, and resides at 2407 Wall street. He has operated speed boats for several years and was known as a careful and experienced pilot.

Beller was born in Joplin April, 1900; and had resided here all his life.

Both his parents are

(Continued on page 2),

Joplin Globe,
Wednesday, July 5, 1933,
Page: 1A; 1 of 8.
Joplin, Missouri.

RAY SELLER, 32,
DROWNS AS SPEED
BOAT OVERTURNS

(Continued From Page 1)

dead, his father dying last October. Surviving, besides his wife, formerly Miss Catherine Henckel, are seven sisters, Mrs. C. T. Chickerlng and Miss Freda Beller of Joplin, Mrs. June Kibler and Mrs. Lou Lamour of Galena, Mrs. Alfred Stinel of Battle Creek, Mich., Mrs. Anna Palmer of Miami, Fla., and Mrs. Etta Turner of Santa Maria, Calif., and three brothers, Rosco Beller of Miami, Fla., and Rodney and Alfred Beller of Battle Creek.

Funeral arrangements have not been made.

Joplin Globe,
Wednesday, July 5, 1933,
Page: 2A; 2 of 8.
Joplin, Missouri.

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Still adding info....

Joplin Globe, Wednesday, July 5, 1933, Pg. Joplin, Missouri.

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Joplin News Herald, Thursday, July 6, 1933, Pg. Joplin, Missouri.

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Joplin News Herald, Wednesday, July 5, 1933, Pg. Joplin, Missouri.

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Jefferson City Post Tribune, Wednesday, July 5, 1933, Pg. Jefferson City, Missouri.

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Ray L. Beller
May 03, 1900 - July 04, 1933

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Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 - 1963

Search Results Name Date of Death County City Certificate Number

Ray L. Beller May 03, 1900 - July 04, 1933 Taney 25395 View Image pdf file

http://preview.tinyurl.com/nzcqht9

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Raymond Beller (1900 - 1933) – Mount Hope Cemetery –
Suggested By: ~~mjp~~, 14 December 2019.

Birth Location: Joplin,Jasper County,Missouri,USA
Death Location: Branson,Taney County,Missouri,USA

Spouse: Catherine Bennett (1902-1982); Married: 1926

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