Larry Lee Worden (1938 - 1969)

Born 26 Mar 1938 in Decatur, Adams County, Indiana

Ancestors

Died 30 Mar 1969 at age 31 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana

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Biography

Source 1: Note: Larry Lee Worden was transcribed as Larry T Wardan in the 1940 census.

Larry T Wardan United States Census, 1940 Name Larry T Wardan Event Type Census Event Date 1940 Event Place Preble, Kirkland Township, Adams, Indiana, United States Gender Male Age 2 Marital Status Single Race (Original) White Race White Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Son Relationship to Head of Household Son Birthplace Indiana Birth Year (Estimated) 1938

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace Harry Wardan Head M 36 Indiana Emyly Wardan Wife F 36 Indiana Delores Wardan Daughter F 16 Indiana Virgiana Wardan Daughter F 14 Indiana Mary J Wardan Daughter F 12 Indiana Kennech E Wardan Son M 10 Indiana Raymond Wardan Son M 6 Indiana Larry T Wardan Son M 2 Indiana Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1R9-K5L : accessed 4 January 2016), Larry T Wardan in household of Harry Wardan, Preble, Kirkland Township, Adams, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1-5, sheet 5B, family 88, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 1024.

Source 2:

Larry Lee Worden

BIRTH: 26 Mar 1938 Decatur, Adams County, Indiana

DEATH: 30 Mar 1969 (aged 31) Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana

BURIAL: Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Magley, Adams County, Indiana

MEMORIAL ID: 83613855 · View Source

Larry Worden (83613855) Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana Monday, March 31, 1969

TWO DECATUR MOOSE BOWLING TEAM MEMBERS KILLED SUNDAY IN ACCIDENT NEAR LAFAYETTE

Two members of a Decatur Moose lodge bowling team were killed and four others injured Sunday morning in a two-truck collision on U.S. highway 52, one mile south of Lafayette.

Dead on arrival at Home hospital, Lafayette, were Larry L. Worden, 31, 703 Schirmeyer street, Decatur, and Marvin L. Lautzenheiser, 28, Willshire, O., route 1.

The two men were passengers in a van-type truck operated by Robert G. Hoffman, 32, 223 North 11th street, Decatur. Hoffman and three other passengers in the truck were removed to the same hospital. The accident occurred at 7:35 a.m.

Worden's death was attributed to a skull fracture, while Lautzenheiser died of a skull fracture and crushed chest.

Hoffman received the least serious injuries, a lacerated finger on the right hand, lacerations to the right thigh and contusions. He was treated for his injuries and was later released, returning to Decatur Sunday evening. Most seriously injured of the other three men was Wilbur Lengerich, 56, Decatur route 4. Lengerich is listed in "serious" condition at Home hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for a fractured skull and multiple lacerations. He is being held in the hospital's intensive care unit. Listed in "satisfactory" condition are Clarence Lengerich, 58, 1430 Master Drive, Decatur, and Frederick J. Eyanson, 36, 932 High street, Decatur. Lengerich received a scalp laceration, abrasions, multiple contusions and complained of chest pains, while Eyanson suffered scalp lacerations and a fractured left hand.

According to investigating officers from the Lafayette post of the Indiana state police, the accident occurred when a wrecker, operated by James E. Lambert, 29, Louisville, Ky., ran into the left rear corner of the Hoffman truck, tearing off a large portion of the left rear corner of the vehicle's body.

Hoffman's truck was knocked off the right side of the road, into a field. The van rolled over once, coming to rest on its wheels.

State police believe that most of the occupants of the Decatur vehicle were thrown from the wreckage.

Both vehicles were northbound on the four-land highway at the time of accident. Investigation of the crash in continuing. Indications are that Lambert fell asleep at the wheel of his truck prior to the accident. No charges have yet been filed against the Kentucky motorist.

IN STATE TOURNEY The six men had stayed at a motel, just one-half mile south of the accident scene and were headed into Lafayette to bowl at Star Lanes (where the state Moose bowling tourney was in progress) at 9 a.m. Two other teams from the local lodge were in Lafayette to bowl in the same tourney and learned of the accident when they arrived at the lanes.

Hoffman, Worden and Lautzenheiser had stayed at the motel earlier in the morning while the other three men had attended a 6 a.m. Catholic mass at a nearby church. After Eyanson and the two Lengerichs returned, the six men headed to Lafayette, apparently planning to eat breakfast before reporting in at the bowling alley for their scheduled match.

Hoffman returned to this city Sunday evening with members of the other Decatur teams. The Moose tournament is a several-week affair and other local teams had participated on earlier weekends and still other bowlers are scheduled to go next weekend.

WORDEN RITES WEDNESDAY Larry Lee Worden was born in Adams county March 26, 1938, a son of Harry and Emily Bracht-Worden, and was married to Shirley Roberts July 21, 1961. The accident victim was an employee of Decatur Industries, and was a member of the Moose lodge.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Larry, Jr. and Donald, both at home; a daughter, Toni, at home; the maternal grandfather, William Bracht of Bluffton; three sisters, Mrs. Richard (Delores) Gerber of Decatur route 2, Mrs. Herbert (Virginia) Smitley of Decatur, and Mrs. Eugene (Mary Jane) Murchland of Ossian; and two brothers, Kenneth Worden of Leo, and Raymond Worden of Plymouth.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Zwick funeral home, with Rev. H. E. Settlage officiating. Burial will be in the Magley cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today until time of the services.

The Moose lodge will hold memorial services at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Family Members:

Parents:

Harry Owen Worden 1903–1948

Emily Bracht Worden 1904–1946

Siblings:

Delores M. Worden Gerber 1923–2011

Virginia May Worden Smitley 1925–2018

Mary Jane Worden Murchland 1927–2014

Kenneth Eugene Worden 1929–1994

Sources

• 1. US Federal Census 1940.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1R9-K5L

• 2. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83613855/larry-lee-worden: accessed 30 December 2023), memorial page for Larry Lee Worden (26 Mar 1938–30 Mar 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 83613855, citing Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Magley, Adams County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Bruce Sonner (contributor 47387316).