The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

0 f T THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER *Serviig The Chain-O- • Since 1871" "J . Volume 87 -- No. 2 -- 3 Sections McHENRY. ILLINOIS. THURSDAY. MAY 18. 1961 18 Pages -- 10c Per Copyv : : -es MURDER TRIAL OF OKER IN FOURTH DAY m$m Pledge Action In Grass Fires Spring is with us, and that ; means a season ahead to beware of bicyclists, pedestrians and other drivers. The warning may sound like so many others, but actually the subject is serious. Most e v e r y o n e i s a f f l i c t e d w i t h spring fever from time to time, aoa the honest adult will admit that many times it affects his entire attitude. If we are prone to day dreaming as we walk and drive, how much more may we expect youngsters to become so absorbed in the beauties of the world around them at this time of year that they are unaware of anything but their own thoughts? Only minor accidents have bvn recorded to date this spring involving children at play, but they are sufficient to make us all resolve to keep one eye watchful for ourselves and the other for the young folks who have thoughts only for the pleasant moment ahead. Gretchen Sayler, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. Eugene Sayler, has been receiving the congratifiitions of friends after being named track queen in competition last week. The final decision from among five candidates was made by a vote of the student body at M.C.H.S., where Gretchen is a senior. Carrying out their belief in the necessity for a strong America, tfce McHenry Jaycees are l^vftftngT a pilbllc information smrtce in their fight against communism through articles on the subject, the first of which appears in this issue of the Plaindealer. There was more than a little justifiable pride among McHenry friends last Thursday liight when two young folks were honored by the Elks Muge in Woodstock for leadership. H. Stinespring of McHenry was first place winner in the county and received a $75 savings bond, while Sherry Evans, also of McHenry. placed second and was awarded a $50 bond. In addition, H. also received a $25 check from the North- |^>t District Elks association for tying for first place in the district contest. A reader of a Chicago newspaper sent us a clipping and picture which appeared recently concerning a young local boy, with the hope that we might mention the lad, who has femphasis on a program designed to keep to a minimum the number of grass fires which are allowed to go out of control at this time of year, was one of the highlights of the annual meeting of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District association. The meeting was held at the fire house Monday evening. Members attending were in agreement that tickets should be issued for such conflagrations where negligence is evident and the use of the truck is required. It was estimated that a minimum of $50 to $100 is the cost each' time such a^fire occurs. The annual appropriation of $47,000 was passed during the meeting. A. M. Gus Freund was reelected president of the association and George Schmitt was named secretary treasurer. John Bonder of Lakemoor was named as three-year trustee to replace Claude McDermott, who held the post for two terms. Ed. Justen, fire chief, urged that when in doubt as to weather conditions, a call to EVergreen 5-2121 for permission to burn would probably be helpful in preventing fires going out of control. (Continued on Page 8) IMPRESSIVE MAY CROWNING HELD m CITY jpjjRIBCE -- \ Penny Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Miller of McCullom Lake, led the children of St. Patrick school in the annual May crowning ceremony fittingly held on Mothers' Day, May 14. Dressed as a bride and attended by Kathy Palmer and Christine Altman, Penny carried the pillow holding the Blessed Lady's crown. Acting as flower girls and holding the streamers from the pillow were ftfary Schaefer, Gail Checchin, Cynthia Casey and Patricia Rauscher. As the smaller children of the schobl took their places in the pews, the sixth, seventh and eighth grades formed a living rosary around the church. Eighth grade altar boys held a place of honor forming the cross. They were Michael Conway, John Cusack, Jim Thennes, Albert Casey, John Schaber, Richard Foss, Allen Miller and Tom McCormack. Following the rosary and crowning, the children recited together an act of Consecration. Father Coakley spoke about the beauty of the day, paying tribute to all mothers both living and dead. He closed the service with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. MCHS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS aetss ilfPl IP Enter Insanity Plea For Man Accused 0 Killing McHenry Girl McHENRY GIRL IS PROM QUEEN AT MARIAN HIGH ANITA BARGER H. STINESPRING EILEEN NOONAN SHERRY EVANS SELECT TO SPEM COMMENCEMENT Eight-Member Faculty Group Makes Choice Plan F®ir Proposed ToC McHenry's City Council convened at 7 p.m. Monday in order to receive a report from J. Alton Lauren on plans for the new National Tea Store building and a proposed shopping area along both .sides of Boone Creek. ^Due to part of the area near Dy being zoned as residential property, the zoning board of appeals will hear a petition on June 2 for reclassification. An easement verification is the only other cause of delay in the start of construction of the new building. The Council is interested in sufficient parking area in the proposed new shopping center Ad has been assured of a 3 to 1 area ratio being in the plans. City engineers gave a progress report on the construction projects in the city and discussed future projects. It Was decided to proceed with previous plans for the. correction of a drainage problem on the north side of Elm street between Front street and Millstream Drive. The state highway department has accepted a proposal to participate in the cost. Bids on the city's portion of the work will be received June 19. Police Re-appointed Mayor Doherty re-appointed all police officers and employees, creating a new office in the police department, promoting Richard Clark to the rank of sergeant. It is felt that this will take some of the increasing load of responsibility from the police chief, especially during the night hours. To assist the mayor, as liquor commissioner, an opinion vote was taken in which the majority found it to be in order to issue an alcoholic beverage license to West McHenry Recreation, Inc. The applicant plans a restaurant and bar in the Justen building on Main street. Four outstanding McHenry Community high school seniors with an optimistic outlook on the future came out on top last Wednesday in competition with other classmates to win horiors as commencement speakers. They are Anita Barger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Barker of Mineral Springs; Sherry Evans, daughter of Mr. ahd Mrs. Thomas Evans of McHenry; Eileen Noonan, daughter of Mrs. K. E. Noonan of Eastwood Manor; and H. Stinespring, son of Mr. and Mrs Harry Stinespring of Pistakce Bay. The four speakers, who were selected by an eight-member faculty committee, have an impressive record • of accomplishments in their school careers. Miss Barger's activities have included membership in the National Honor society, GAA board, chorus, Modern Music Masters, Future Business Leaders, Science club, senior diss play, Future Teachers, Latin club and student leader. Her plans for the fall include nurses' training at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Other Speakers Miss /Evans' accomplishments include National Honor society, Student Council secretary, cheerleader captain, homecoming queen, Modern Music Masters. Pep club, senior class play, Latin club co-president, runner- up in the McHenry Jaycee c i t i z e n s h i p c o n t e s t , F r e n c h club, and second place in the most recent county-wide Elk.: leadership contest. Sherry will attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she plans to prepare for a career in education. Among Miss Noonan's activities are membership in the National Honor society, Pep club. Annual staff, state vice-president of Future Busin::<< Leaders, Future Teachers, student director of senior class play, student librarian. Latin club, and GAA. She will attend Illinois State Normal university in September to help realise her life-long ambition of becoming a teacher. H. Stinespring's host of accomplishments includc National Honor society president, Student Council president, c h o r u s p r e s i d e n t , f o o t b a l l squad, track, homecoming king. Future Teachers, Modern Music Masters president, and first place in the McHenry county Elks Leadership contest. "H"' will enroll at MacMurray college to pursue a career in international politics. Man Injured As B@@t Falls General Membership C Of C Meeting May 23 The third general membership meeting1 of the year for the Chamber of Commerce will be held Tuesday, May 23, at noon, opening with luncheon at the Legion home. This will be a 100 per cent membership participation meeting, with discussion centering on community problems. All are urged to attend. Roger Freund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Freund of Main street, McHenry, sustained serious injuries last Sunday morning when a boat slid off its standard and fell on hi* back. The young man was assisting a friend, Mr. Hockar, at Pistakee Bay in taking down the latter's boat from the standard in preparation for the boating season ahead. In some way, the c r a f t s l i p p e d a n d s t r u c k Freund, who was at one end. He was taken to St. Therese hospital, where he was found to be suffering from broken ribs and a ruptured blood vessel which necessitated his being confined to the hospital for several days. REVIEW PROGRESS FOR HETARDED AT ELECTION MEETING Mrs. Joseph Huff of Richmond was re-elected president of the McHenry County association for Retarded Children at a meeting of the board of directors Thursday night. Other officers were Mrs. Royal Bernier and Mrs. Rita Mercure, both of McHenry, first and second vice-presidents; Mrs. Charles Stone ot Woodstock, secretary; and Mrs. C. Henning of Woodstock, treasurer. The association has in the past year conducted a classroom in the Wonder Lake Bible church for mentally retarded children at the trainable level, for whom there is at present (Continued on Page 8) McHenry Women Hurt In Crash $800 REALIZED IN CANCER DRIVE CONDUCTED HERE A total of $800 was realized in the' recent cancer drive in the city of McHenry. Anyone who still desires to make a contribution may send it to Edward Thennes, local chairman, at 904 N. Front street. Mr. Thennes is anxious to have all donations turned in by June 1, at the latest, so the Campaign can be concluded. All volunteer workers and all those who gave money were recognized by Mr. Thennes for helping this worthwhile cause. INSTALL OFFICERS • AS WOMAN'S CLUB CONCLUDES SEASON 1 Chapel Hill Country club was the scene Friday after- Nhoon, May 12, of the final meeting- of McHenry Woman's club .for this season. All were pleased with the buffet luncheon and a program, "Yust For Fun," presented by Mrs. Lillian Brodahl Smith. Mrs. Edward Murphy, Jr., of V.F.W. Post 4600 presented a new fifty-star flag to the club, which was accepted by Mrs. H. M. Engdahl, retiring president. The following officers for the year ahead were installed by Mrs. Fred Svoboda: Mrs. (Continued on Page 8) Chicogocm Apparent Victim Of Smeidb Sunday Afternoon Kenneth Richard Mertens, 33, of 5207 N. Ludlam avenue, Chicago, a postal clerk, apparently shot himself with a .22 caliber rifle about 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, May 14, in the home he and his family were remodelling at Stanton Point, Ingleside. He died abou' 8:15 that night in McHenry hospital, where he was taken after being found by his family. Mertens and his parents had been spending weekends at Stanton Point, where they were in the process of remodelling a large house. Shortly after noon, the young man told the family he was tired and intended to take a nap. Sometime later, they heard a noise on the second floqr, but were not concerned about its source. Later, they found Mertens in his room, the gun near his side. Changed Work Hours His parents could give no reason for his action, but they did tell authorities he had been extremely nervous since his schedule as postal clerk required him to work days after being on a night shift for ten years. They said he was having difficulty in sleeping. The body was taken to the Peter M. Justen funeral home and then removed to,-the John B. May chapel at 4553 N. Milwaukee avenue, Chicago. An inquest is scheduled to be held this week Saturday at the Justen funeral home. OFFER REPEAT PERFORMANCE OF 'MELODIC JOURNEY' As a repeat performance for ihe benefit of the new Catholic student center oi Northern Illinois university at DeKalb, the musical variety show, "Melodic Journey," will be presented Sunday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in St. Mary's auditorium. The show played to two full houses during April, and both audiences were enthusiastic in their praise of the production, which has become an annual event of the McHenry parish. "Melodic Journey" was written and directed by Fr. Harold Nilges and features a sixtyvoice adult chorus, a seventyvoice children's chorus, as well as numerous dance groups, soloists and ensembles. County Bar Members To Be Doctors' Guests The McHenry County Medical society will meet on Thursday evening. May 18, at Martinetti's in Crystal Lake, with dinner at 7 p.m. The McHenry County Bar association members will be guests at this meeting. Bernard Hirsch, who is connected with the legal department of the American Medical association will discuss the "Nature of the Doctor's Legal Duty." Mrs. Ann Marie Scarbrough, 36, of 714 , Orchard Drive, McCullom Lake, continues to improve in McHenry hospital after having her left arm amputated following an auto accident late on the evening of May 10. Mrs. Scarbrough was brought by ambulance to the hospital, where her arm was removed above the elbow. She .was in shock aqd also suffered from severe leg injuries. At first it was thought amputation of one leg might be . necessary, but fortunately, doctors were able to save it. It is believed she may have be$n attempting to avoid hitting an oncoming car on Rt. 12, at the intersection with the Spring Grove road, when the crash occurred. Her car travelled* onto the shoulder, skidded on the gravel and turned over several times before coming to a stop. Authorities Notified An unidentified person notified the Richmond rescue squad and state police, who found Mrs. Scarbrough pinned in the debris, the roof of the demolished car across her abdomen and her head hanging over the back seat on the right side of the auto. About forty- Cive minutes were required to free her. Earlier in the evening, she had met her husband, Walter Scarbrough, in Fox Lake upon his return from Kankakee, where he works. She had left to drive to Spring Grove to confer with parents of a young organ student and was enroute there when the accident occurred. Her husband awaited her return in a Fox Lake restaurant. When someone came into the establishment to tell of a wrecked car being towed into a garage across the street, he looked from the restaurant to discover that it was the family car. The Scarbroughs have one son, George. Second Crash Mrs. Bonnye Smith of Main street, McHenry, sustained injuries Monday which will keep her confined to St. Mary's hospital in Racine, Wis., for about six weeks. She suffered a fractured hip, broken pelvis and cuts" about the chin. Three passengers in the car, including her daughter, Virginia, 15, escaped with minor injuries. The four were enroute to Milwaukee on Monday when Mrs. Smith started to pass a large truck. As she was almost by, Virginia said the truck started to turn into the left lane, and her mother applied the brakes in an .effort to avoid being hit. The car skidded, turned over and is reported to have skidded another sixty-five feet on its top. Virginia suffered only broken ribs. Her aunt, Mrs. Frances Counley, sustained cuts about the head and the latter's daughter, Sharon, had cuts behind the ear which required stitches. Norman Fa lk of Lakemoor has been confined to McHenry hospital, suffering injuries sus- (Continued un Page 8) A young McHenry girl, Mary Ellen Nye, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Nye of Pistakee Bay, reigned as prom queen last Friday night when Marian Central high school held the annual event in the school. Wayne Karas of Crystal Lake was the king. Ceremonies took place before a throne set against gold colored curtains on the auditorium stage, when Miss Nye was presented with a large bouquet of roses. Among attendants to the king was Mike Purvey of Crystal Lake, son of the late Dr. John Purvey and Clarice Miller Purvey, both of whom resided in McHenry at one time. JAYCEES BUSY WITH PROGRAMS IN SEASON AHEAD McHenry Jaycees are busy working on plans for future projects, one of which is the ten-point safety program in which cars will receive free safety checks and safety stickers. Others include a junior golf tournament in June, a teenage driving roadeo in which winners will continue on to participate in the state contest. Members are hard at work delivering house numbers, and residents are asked to be patient in the short time which intervenes before everyone is contacted. ' INVITE PUBLIC TO "HOME AND GARDEN" WALK The Woman's Society of Christian Service of the Community Methodist church will present their second annual "Home and Gafrlen Walk," on Wednesday, May 24. The homes to be Shown are those of the Chuck Millers, the F. W. Bonds, the Ted Currys and the Leland Harpers. The Miller home is in Edgebrook Heights, and is well known. The theme of the decorations will be "Summer," in order to display their huge outdoor, glass-enclosed patio at its best. Mrs. Miller has many interesting furnishings and accessories, collected both in this country and abroad. The Bond residence is located in Country Club Estates, and represents a lifetime interest in Early Americana. Comfort and conveniences are not sacrificed, for their (Continued on Page 8) The trial of Herman Oker, Jr., of Crystal Lake, charged with the murder of his wife, the former Janice Reinboldt, 23, of McHenry, last Jan. 137 concluded its third day on Wednesday. Testifying in his own behalf^ Oker took the stand just before; noon on Wednesday, telling o£ events which preceded the sepj* aration of himself and his wiffc in August of 1960, and the pej^ riod which followed. His testes mony was expected to be coilP tinued in the afternoon. Sj. After a day of questioningwitnesses concerning details <f{[ the death of Mrs. Oker oac Monday, the state closed itj^ case, and the following day was; devoted to the presentation of* Oker's case by counsel. ^ Three of the chief witnessed at that time were James Wa^jg berg, Richard Duncan and Roiwr aid Shulfer, all of whom told dfj their friendship with Oker duts ing the time he was separate^ from his wife. They testified that he talked continually! about her and the children. At the same time, the men admits ted having dated Mrs. Oker during the period of separation from her husband. Duncan admitted that he was in Mr*. Oker's apartmeilt on John street, McHenry, the night last fall when Oke? ym.- involved in ftfl UMagfttIftiiBdr x'rom her home. At that tilM it was reported thit he Sodgtjt'* a reconciliation with his and when she refused he drove away at a high rate of speed* crashing into a telephone pole at the corner of Center artd John streets. „; "• Parents TeMttl Oker's parents also testified Tuesday in his behalf, telling of his disturbed state of miwl. A research engineer for Pure Oil, where Oker had been employed, said Oker had been giv« en a thirty-to-sixty day leave of absence Jan. 3, because of his domestic difficulties, but Oker was scheduled to return to work the Monday following the shooting. Much of the questioning by the state the previous day was more or less routine, including several witnesses to the shooting, which took place in the parking lot near the Oaks Manufacturing plant in Crystal Lake, which Mrs. Oker was entering on the Friday morning she died. Among the witnesses were Sandra Creighton and Robert Burg, both employees at tfes Oaks. The former told of hap=- penings on the morning Mrs. Oker was shot, relating ho# Oker left his car and ap* proached his wife as she was about to enter the building. She told further of Mrs. Oker's pleadings not to shoot, aftefr which Mrs. Creighton said he fired two shots in succession, one as his wife was on tfift ground. . (Continued on Ftp 8) "Garden Walk" Hostesses Kotalik Studio Pjioto The homes of these three ladies residing in the McHenry community will be visited when the W.S.C.S. t of the Community Methodist church presents its annual "Home and Garden Walk" on May 24. The women .11*7' Mrs. "Chuck" Miller, Mrs. Ted Curry and Mrs. l<l»nii a Ilarper. 2