Verne Frank Wolfe (1915 - 1950)

Born 1 Jun 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Died 23 Jun 1950 at age 35 in Lake Michigan, USA

Biography

Son of William Franklin Wolfe & Lydia Emily Venn. Sister: Grace.

35 year old co-pilot Verne Wolfe was among the 58 killed onboard Flight 2501, when it was lost over Lake Michigan. The victims and the plane were never recovered.

Verne was survived by his wife Ruth and their child.

Ruth was most likely the first family member to find out about the accident. She would wait up for Verne to come home, no matter how late it got. They only lived two miles from the airport. She called the airport at midnight, to make sure the flight was on time. She heard a voice in the background say to call her back, and knew there was something terribly wrong. An hour later, Northwest pilot Keith James, with his wife Mary and another pilot's wife Lee Brennan, showed up at her door. She knew instantly that Verne was dead.

All 58 people (3 crew and 55 passengers) on board were declared deceased. On the night of June 23, 1950, the flight lost radio contact with flight controllers and was never found. Debris washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan, but the plane was never located. As of 2020, people are still searching for the wreck.

Sources

• U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141364456/verne-f.-wolfe

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/45017451/?terms=2501%20vern&match=1

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/521617157/?terms=verne%20wolfe&match=1

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/187724764/?terms=verne%20wolfe&match=1

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Orient_Airlines_Flight_2501

• book "Fatal Crossing" by V.O. Van Heest