Bert Helder of Lynden was instantly killed early Sunday morning in Portland, Oregon, when an automobile in which he was riding skidded and collided with a telegraph post. Helder, who was stationed at the army camp at Vancouver, Wash., was returning to the camp from Portland with a number of the other soldiers, when a police auto, returning from a call, offered to give the boys a complimentary ride to assist them home. In turning out to avoid a collision with another auto, the car skidded and struck a telephone post, throwing the occupants out. Helder was killed instantly, and James F. Jordan, another private, died at a hospital later in the day from injuries received. Six others were hurt in the accident, but it is said that all will recover. Miss Rena Helder, sister of Bert Helder, who was stationed as a nurse at Vancouver, returned to Lynden after the accident and will remain here until after the funeral. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the Christian Reformed Church. A guard of Lynden soldiers will act as pall bearers.
(From The Lynden Tribune, December 26, 1918)
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With soldier boys of the Lynden district acting as a guard of honor, funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Christian Reformed Church for the late Bert Helder of Lynden, who was killed in at auto accident at Portland Dec. 21. The Rev. E. Breen conducted the services. The casket was draped with a large American flag, and a military guard consisting of Henry H. Spaan, Paul Zylstra, Tom Verduin, Gerrit Polinder, Peter Elenbaas and Charles Keiveet acted as pall-bearers. The following Lynden soldiers from the various camps march in the funeral procession:
Ed Roo, Fort Worden; Lucas DeKoster, Fort McDowell, Cal.; Herman Heusinkveld, Camp Lewis; Simon Louws, Fort Worden; Earnest Van Dyke, Camp Lewis; Thomas Verduin, Fort Worden; Nicholas Honcoop, Ft. Steven, Oregon; Marius Vander Griend, University of Washington; Arthur Buizer, Camp Lewis; Henry Hoksbergen, Fort Worden; Paul Zylstra; Henry H. Spaan, Fort Worden; Peter Elenbaas, Fort Worden; Franz Fullner, Fort Worden; Henry Ripperda, Fort Worden; Gerrit Polinder, Fort Worden; Cornelius Honcoop, Fort Worden; George Neidhart, Fort Worden; John Kok, Vancouver Barracks; William H. Rutgers, University of Washington, Seattle; Charles Kieveet, Fort Worden; Peter Huisman, Fort Worden; Geo. Lyle, Camp Lewis.
Bert Helder was born in Holland, Michigan, in 1893. He came to the State of Washington when three, and had followed the occupation of farmer most of his life. He was one of the original members of the Lynden Holland Band, of which organization he was leader for three years. On May 25, 1918, he entered the service of the United States, and played first cornet in the First Regimental Band at Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He leaves to mourn his loss his mother, Mrs. J. D. Helder, two sisters, Helen and Rena Helder, and seven brothers, Gerard, John, Dick, J. Janes, Rynand, Louis and James. One sister, Gertrude, passed away a year ago on nearly the same day.
