Person:Kenneth Gladieux (2)

Kenneth graduated from Harmar School and Central High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Kenneth fought for 28 months in the Southwest Pacific in World War II. He entered the Army November 13, 1942, serving with the Engineer Corps in Australia, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon and the Philippines before his discharge December 14, 1945.

He was an employee of Fruehauf Trailer Company.

Kenneth was killed in an autombile accident in which he was driving at the intersection of Wayne Trace and Monroeville Roads.

COUNTY AUTO TOLL HITS 17 AS 2 MORE DIE. KENNETH GLADIEUX, 24, WILLIAM C. LONERGAN, 22 KILLED AND 2 HURT. Sheriff Harold S. Zeis and deputies conferred for hours yesterday on various phases of a supercharged safety education program which might bring more closely to the motoring public the horrors of death on the highways. The round table at the Allen County Jail followed closely an investigation of the deaths of two men at 1:30 a.m. yesterday in a crash at the intersection of the Wayne Trace and Monroeville Roads which jolted Allen County's 1947 traffic toll to 17 deaths. Victims of the latest fatal accident were Kenneth W. Gladieux, 24, son of Mrs. Nora Gladieux, 1012 East Washington Boulevard, who survived 28 months of fighting in the Southwest Pacific during World War ii and William C. Lonergan, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lonergan of 841 Hugh Street. Injured Youth Trapped. Two others were injured, neither seriously, when the automobile drived by Gladieux left an angling curve at the junction of the two highways and was sandwiched, upside down, between two trees of a woodlot overlooking the intersection. Vitus J. Nau, 24, of 723 East Wayne Street, the owner of the machine who had been asleep on the rear seat of the sedan, wriggled for a half hour over Lonergan's mangled body before he could gain the freedom of the highway and start afoot in search of help. His brother, Paul R. Nau, 22, of the same address, who had been asleep in the front seat between Gladieux and Lonergan, was thrown clear of the wreckage, and his cries of pain spurred his brother in the 30-minute battle to free himself from the wreckage of the automobile. Gladieux was thrown clear of the wreckage, too, but a heavy wrecker was necessary to lift the remains of the auto from Lonergan's body. Motorist Sends Alarm. While Nau was staggering to a farmhouse three quarters of a mile from the scene of the accident, a passing motorist, Howard Savico, Monroeville, saw the headlights of the wrecked car gleaming through the trees and notified the sheriff's department. The two calls were received almost simultaneously, officials said. Sheriff's deputies later found Nau stumbling along the highway, returning to the scene of the wreck. Vitus Nau suffered bruises and friction burns about the face and his brother was cut about the legs, face and hands. They were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Mrs. Gladieux and Mrs. Lonergan told officials they had pleaded with their sons to remain home, because both were asleep when called for by the Nau brothers, at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Mrs. Lonergan said she had a premonition of trouble, and had not fallen asleep yet when the Sheriff's Department brought word of her son's death. Car Falls on Curve. Vitus Nau, also a war veteran, told officials he frequently asked Gladieux to drive his automobile because he became nervous behind the wheel. The four, after a night of entertainment in Fort Wayne, decided to drive to Monroeville. They were returning to Fort Wayne when the car failed to negotiate the curve joining the Monroeville Road and the Wayne Trace Road. Vitus Nau, stunned by the buffeting in the wreckage, said he first became conscious of strains of the auto radio, which still was in operation. He looked instinctively at his wrist watch, Nau said, and noted that it was 1:30 a.m. From then on, Nau said, he kept timing himself during his struggles to get out of the wreckage. 2 Died Immediately. Dr. A. P. Hattendorf, county cornoner, said Gladieux and Lonergan died immediately from skull fractures. Paul Nau told officials that Lonergan fell asleeep before he did, shortly after Gladieux left Monroeville for this city. After a meeting with the accident investigators, Dr. Hattendorf indicated that he would return a verdict of accidental death in the case. He had set no date for an inquest last night. The accident was investigated by Sheriff Harold Zeis, Deputies Jack Vail and Hillery Garrett, and State Officers Mark Nelson an John Morgan. Lonergan's body was taken to D. O. McComb & Sons' Funeral Home where friends may call after noon, today. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Dr. Benjamine F. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery. Lonergan, a truck driver for the Somers Bakery, attended Harmar School and was graduated from Central High School. Surviving besides the parents are a brother, John R. Lonergan, and a grandmother, Mrs. Jessie Stevenson, all of this city. He was a member of the United Brethern Church. Gladieux, who entered the Army November 13, 1942, served with the Engineer Corps in Australia, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon and the Phillipines before his discharge December 14, 1945. He was an employee of the Fruehauf Trailer Company. His father, Clarence, died about two months ago. Surviving besides the mother are three sisters, Mrs. Decima McElwaine, Mrs. Aylene Spiece and Mrs. Gladys Olinske; a brother, Clarence Gladieux; and the grandmother, Mrs. Clara Weiss, all of Fort Wayne. He attended the Harmar School and Central High School and was a member of Fort Wayne Post 47 of the American Legion. The body was taken to the Jule Schone Funeral Home. Funeral Services for Gladieux will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Jule Schone Funeral Home with the Rev. F. H. Holtmeyer officiating and burial will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home after 7 p.m. today and until the hour of the services. [PHOTO] TWO KILLED IN CRASH -- Two men, Kenneth W. Gladieux, 23, of 1012 East Washington Boulevard and William C. Lonergan, 22, 841 Hugh Street, lost their lives in the wreckage pictured above after the machine left the intersection of the Wayne Trace and Monroeville Road east of the city at 1:30 a.m. yesterday. Two were injured, Vitus Nau, 24, 723 East Wayne Street, owner of the car, and his brother, Paul, 22, same address. The Nau brothers and Lonergan were asleep when the crash came, officials were told. -- Staff Photo by Bob Smith.

He is buried at Prairie Grove Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.