Ilion High School - Class of 1938

Ilion Sentinel - August 5, 1937

Hold Ilion Student Funeral; Was Killed In Crash Sunday

Article 8

Hold Ilion Student Funeral; Was Killed In Crash Sunday

High School senior Dies When Car Leaves Road Attempting To Pass On Hill -

Two Passengers Escape With Minor Hurts

Funeral services for John J. Beirne, 18-year-old Ilion high school student killed early Sunday morning in an automobile accident, were held Tuesday morning, at 9 o'clock from his home at 81 Montgomery street, and at 9:30 from Church of the Annunciation.

The Rev. Fathers Nolan and Thompson, from Church of the Annunciation, and the Rev. Father Walworth of Herkimer officiated at the Requiem High Mass. Burial was in St. Agnes cemetery.

The Beirne youth and two companions were in a car descending the sleep Vickerman hill near Mohawk, shortly after 2 a. m. it was revealed Monday. In a coroner's inquest, Beirne waa driving at the rate of 5O miles per hour. The crash came when Beirne, in attempting to paas an unidentified vehicle, applied the brakes, causing the machine to skid. Beirne was thrown from the car as it left the road and plunged into a bank.

Miss Betty Ellis, 18 Main street, and Robert Wightman, South Richfield street, both of Mohawk, suffered minor hurts. Wightman, 21, is the son of David C. Wightman, former member of Assembly.

Beirne was unconscious when taken to the office of Dr. W. J. MacDonald, Mohawk, and died shortly after being admitted to Herkimer Memorial Hospital. Coroner Graves found death due to a fractured skull.

John J. Beirne was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Beirne and was born in Ilion. At the time of his death, he resided with his grandparents. He was a graduate of Annunciation School and would have graduated from Ilion High School next year.

He was a member of the Junior Holy Name Society of Annunciation School and the Church of Annunciation.

He leaves his father, Detroit; a sister, Irene, Utica; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Beirne, Ilion.