MUSKEGON FATHER OF SIX KILLED IN GEORGIA CRASH
THREE OTHERS INJURED
A North Muskegon father of six children was killed instantly and his wife, brother and sister-in-law were critically injured near Macon, Ga., Friday night when their car was struck head-on by a drunken driver.
The tragedy occurred as the two couples were enroute home from a funeral at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Killed in the grinding crash seven miles south of Macon was RALPH J. WORKMAN, 38, of 2416 Pennsylvania avenue, Laketon Township.
Hospitalized with severe injures in Macon are his wife, MAXINE, and his brother and sister-in-law, MR. and MRS. EDWIN D. WORKMAN, of 1685 Terrace street.
BIBBS COUNTY, Georgia, police said the Workman vehicle was struck by a car driven by Cecil Ray Howard, 29, of Macon. Howard was arrested for driving under the influence of liquor and illegal passing.
The Workmans were returning to Muskegon from St. Petersburg where they had attended the funeral services for RALPH BURDETTE, husband of the former RUTH WORKMAN, a sister of the two Muskegon Men.
MRS. FRED G. COOPER, of 805 Ruddiman drive, North Muskegon, wife of CLARKE FLOOR MACHINE executive FRED G. COOPER and a sister of the victim, left immediately for Macon on being notified of the tragedy.
RALPH WORKMAN was born in Muskegon Feb. 10, 1922, and graduated from Muskegon High School. He was employed at Continental Motors Corp. until enlisting in the Army Air Force Nov. 18, 1942.
Following training in the Technical Air School at Amarillo, Tex., he was assigned to the crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress as a gunner and went overseas with that unit.
On one of his first mission over Bordeaux, France, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and he and six other crew members were forced to bail out. Although listed as "missing in action" for two months, Sgt. Workman landed safely in neutral territory and ultimately re-joined his unit.
Returned home, he has been employed as a service representative for Clarke Floor Machine Co.
Surviving besides his wife are the six children, ranging in ages from one to 10, RALPH JR., HAROLD, JUDY, SANDRA, KATHY and BARBARA, all at home; two brothers, EDWIN and JACK, both of Muskegon; three sisters, MRS. FRED COOPER of North Muskegon, MRS. RALPH BURDETTE of St. Petersburg, Fla., and MRS. ROBERT LEGARD of Laketon Township, and his father, JACOB WORKMAN, of Muskegon.
MR. and MRS. EDWIN WORKMAN, the other couple in the crash, are also the parents of six children.
Arrangements will be made by the Clock Funeral Home.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Sat., Nov. 5, 1960, Pg. 1, Cols. 3-8 (Muskegon Father of Six Killed in Georgia Crash)
*****
WORKMAN RITES SET WEDNESDAY
Services for RALPH J. WORKMAN, 38, of 2416 Pennsylvania avenue, Laketon Township, who was killed in an auto crash Friday, near Macon, Ga., will be conducted from the Clock Chapel, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. by the Rev. Ellsworth TenClay of the First Reformed Church, with burial in Oakwood.
Improvement was reported today in the condition of the three relatives with him at the time and surviving the crash. His wife, the former MISS MAXINE LaVASSEUR, sustained fractures of both legs and a knee cap was shattered. She was reported to be out of danger.
Mrs. Workman's brother, EDWIN D. WORKMAN also had both legs fractured and punctures of both lungs, and his condition is still very serious. MRS. EDWIN WORKMAN suffered face cuts and a hip dislocation, and her condition is given as fair.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Mon., Nov. 7, 1960.
*****
GEORGIA NEWS
2 CHILDREN AMONG 4 TRAFFIC DEATHS
At least four persons were killed in violent accidents during a 24-hour period, the Georgia highway patrol reported Saturday, two of them children fatally injured in the Savannah area. RALPH J. WORKMAN, of Muskegon, Mich., was killed and his wife, brother and sister-in-law were injured when their car collided head-on with a car seven miles south of Macon on U.S. 41 Friday night. Cecil Ray Howard, of Macon, driver of the other car, was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and illegal passing.
THE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, Marietta, Georgia, Sun., Nov. 6, 1960, Pg. 2-A, Col. 1, Art. 1 (Georgia News - 2 Children Among 4 Traffic Deaths)
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UNITED STATES WORLD WAR II ARMY ENLISTMENT RECORDS, 1938-1946 (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Name (Original): WORKMAN RALPH J
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 19 Nov 1942
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place: Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Race: White
Citizenship Status: citizen
Birth Year: 1922
Birthplace: MICHIGAN
Education Level: 4 years of high school
Civilian Occupation: Shipping and receiving clerks
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Military Rank: Private
Army Branch: Air Corps
Source Reference: Civil Life
Serial Number: 16088167
Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
*****
MUSKEGON AREA HIT BY FIVE CASUALTIES IN WAR
Two Muskegon men dead in action in Germany and Italy, two missing in action on a B-17 Flying Fortress over France, and a paratrooper wounded in the French invasion was the war's casualty toll for Greater Muskegon today.
They included:
SGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, 22, 528 Oak street, missing on a B-17 in action over France.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Tues., Jun. 27, 1944, Pg. 1, Cols. 7-8, Art. 2 (Muskegon Area Hit by Five Casualties in War - EXCERPT)
*****
WASHINGTON - (U.P.) - The war department made public today the names of 1,298 United States soldiers missing in action. The announcement includes casualties in the Asiatic, central Pacific, European and Mediterranean areas.
U.S. army personnel missing in action in the Asiatic area:
Michigan:
SERGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, Muskegon.
THE BATTLE CREEK ENQUIRER AND NEW, Battle Creek, Mich., Sat., Aug. 5, 1944, Pg. 3, Col. 3, Art. 2 (War Casualties)
*****
UNITES STATES WORLD WAR II PRISONERS OF WAR, 1941-1945 (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 1944
Residence State: Michigan
Race: White
Race (Original): 1
Military Service: Ac: Air Corps
Military Status: 0
Military Service Branch: Army
Parent Military Unit: 0O
Subordinate Military Unit: Heavy Bomber
Military Rank: Captain or Asst. superintendent of nurses or Asst. director of nurses or Chief dietitian or Chief physical therapy aides or Sergeant or Technician 4th Grade or Lieutenant or Petty Officer, 3rd Class
Destination Place:
Service Number: 16088167
*****
THREE FAMILIES THANKFUL, MISSING SONS ARE SAFE
Three Greater Muskegon men previously reported as missing in action in the European area, have turned up safe and well, it was revealed here today by their thankful families.
They are:
SGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, 22 years old, an aerial gunner, and Sgt. Harold C. Brooks, Jr., 21 years old, chief radio operator, both on the same B-17 bomber, and the sons of MR. and MRS. JACOB WORKMAN, 528 Oak avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Brooks, 2111 Mills avenue, North Muskegon; and Pfc. Joseph Sibary, 936 Sixth street, a paratrooper.
The two airmen were by coincidence assigned to the same Flying Fortress which was hit on June 15 during its first mission by anti-aircraft fire while over the target at Bordeaux, France, on the Atlantic coast about 125 miles north of the Spanish border. Seven men were seen to parachute from the disabled craft whose pilot a few seconds later regained control.
The Workmans were notified Aug. 18 by the War Department that their son was safe and well in a neutral country, and on Sunday received a cable from Sergeant Workman, himself, also stating that he was safe and well.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks heard from their son on Sunday, and on the following day from the War Department that Sergeant Brooks was safe and well, although they were not told his location.
Sergeants Workman and Brooks, formerly worked at Continental Motors corporation but were not acquainted until assigned to the same aircraft.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Wed., Aug. 23, 1944, Pg. 2, Cols. 4-5, Art. 1 (Three Families Thankful, Missing Sons Are Safe - EXCERPT)
*****
GEORGIA DEATH INDEX (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 04 Nov 1960
Event Place: Bibb, Georgia
Registration Date:
District/Parish/County: 160
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Race: W
Birth Year (Estimated): 1922
Record Type:
Certificate Number: 29228
MUSKEGON FATHER OF SIX KILLED IN GEORGIA CRASH
THREE OTHERS INJURED
A North Muskegon father of six children was killed instantly and his wife, brother and sister-in-law were critically injured near Macon, Ga., Friday night when their car was struck head-on by a drunken driver.
The tragedy occurred as the two couples were enroute home from a funeral at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Killed in the grinding crash seven miles south of Macon was RALPH J. WORKMAN, 38, of 2416 Pennsylvania avenue, Laketon Township.
Hospitalized with severe injures in Macon are his wife, MAXINE, and his brother and sister-in-law, MR. and MRS. EDWIN D. WORKMAN, of 1685 Terrace street.
BIBBS COUNTY, Georgia, police said the Workman vehicle was struck by a car driven by Cecil Ray Howard, 29, of Macon. Howard was arrested for driving under the influence of liquor and illegal passing.
The Workmans were returning to Muskegon from St. Petersburg where they had attended the funeral services for RALPH BURDETTE, husband of the former RUTH WORKMAN, a sister of the two Muskegon Men.
MRS. FRED G. COOPER, of 805 Ruddiman drive, North Muskegon, wife of CLARKE FLOOR MACHINE executive FRED G. COOPER and a sister of the victim, left immediately for Macon on being notified of the tragedy.
RALPH WORKMAN was born in Muskegon Feb. 10, 1922, and graduated from Muskegon High School. He was employed at Continental Motors Corp. until enlisting in the Army Air Force Nov. 18, 1942.
Following training in the Technical Air School at Amarillo, Tex., he was assigned to the crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress as a gunner and went overseas with that unit.
On one of his first mission over Bordeaux, France, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and he and six other crew members were forced to bail out. Although listed as "missing in action" for two months, Sgt. Workman landed safely in neutral territory and ultimately re-joined his unit.
Returned home, he has been employed as a service representative for Clarke Floor Machine Co.
Surviving besides his wife are the six children, ranging in ages from one to 10, RALPH JR., HAROLD, JUDY, SANDRA, KATHY and BARBARA, all at home; two brothers, EDWIN and JACK, both of Muskegon; three sisters, MRS. FRED COOPER of North Muskegon, MRS. RALPH BURDETTE of St. Petersburg, Fla., and MRS. ROBERT LEGARD of Laketon Township, and his father, JACOB WORKMAN, of Muskegon.
MR. and MRS. EDWIN WORKMAN, the other couple in the crash, are also the parents of six children.
Arrangements will be made by the Clock Funeral Home.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Sat., Nov. 5, 1960, Pg. 1, Cols. 3-8 (Muskegon Father of Six Killed in Georgia Crash)
*****
WORKMAN RITES SET WEDNESDAY
Services for RALPH J. WORKMAN, 38, of 2416 Pennsylvania avenue, Laketon Township, who was killed in an auto crash Friday, near Macon, Ga., will be conducted from the Clock Chapel, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. by the Rev. Ellsworth TenClay of the First Reformed Church, with burial in Oakwood.
Improvement was reported today in the condition of the three relatives with him at the time and surviving the crash. His wife, the former MISS MAXINE LaVASSEUR, sustained fractures of both legs and a knee cap was shattered. She was reported to be out of danger.
Mrs. Workman's brother, EDWIN D. WORKMAN also had both legs fractured and punctures of both lungs, and his condition is still very serious. MRS. EDWIN WORKMAN suffered face cuts and a hip dislocation, and her condition is given as fair.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Mon., Nov. 7, 1960.
*****
GEORGIA NEWS
2 CHILDREN AMONG 4 TRAFFIC DEATHS
At least four persons were killed in violent accidents during a 24-hour period, the Georgia highway patrol reported Saturday, two of them children fatally injured in the Savannah area. RALPH J. WORKMAN, of Muskegon, Mich., was killed and his wife, brother and sister-in-law were injured when their car collided head-on with a car seven miles south of Macon on U.S. 41 Friday night. Cecil Ray Howard, of Macon, driver of the other car, was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and illegal passing.
THE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, Marietta, Georgia, Sun., Nov. 6, 1960, Pg. 2-A, Col. 1, Art. 1 (Georgia News - 2 Children Among 4 Traffic Deaths)
************************~ooOoo~************************
UNITED STATES WORLD WAR II ARMY ENLISTMENT RECORDS, 1938-1946 (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Name (Original): WORKMAN RALPH J
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 19 Nov 1942
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place: Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Race: White
Citizenship Status: citizen
Birth Year: 1922
Birthplace: MICHIGAN
Education Level: 4 years of high school
Civilian Occupation: Shipping and receiving clerks
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Military Rank: Private
Army Branch: Air Corps
Source Reference: Civil Life
Serial Number: 16088167
Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
*****
MUSKEGON AREA HIT BY FIVE CASUALTIES IN WAR
Two Muskegon men dead in action in Germany and Italy, two missing in action on a B-17 Flying Fortress over France, and a paratrooper wounded in the French invasion was the war's casualty toll for Greater Muskegon today.
They included:
SGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, 22, 528 Oak street, missing on a B-17 in action over France.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Tues., Jun. 27, 1944, Pg. 1, Cols. 7-8, Art. 2 (Muskegon Area Hit by Five Casualties in War - EXCERPT)
*****
WASHINGTON - (U.P.) - The war department made public today the names of 1,298 United States soldiers missing in action. The announcement includes casualties in the Asiatic, central Pacific, European and Mediterranean areas.
U.S. army personnel missing in action in the Asiatic area:
Michigan:
SERGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, Muskegon.
THE BATTLE CREEK ENQUIRER AND NEW, Battle Creek, Mich., Sat., Aug. 5, 1944, Pg. 3, Col. 3, Art. 2 (War Casualties)
*****
UNITES STATES WORLD WAR II PRISONERS OF WAR, 1941-1945 (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 1944
Residence State: Michigan
Race: White
Race (Original): 1
Military Service: Ac: Air Corps
Military Status: 0
Military Service Branch: Army
Parent Military Unit: 0O
Subordinate Military Unit: Heavy Bomber
Military Rank: Captain or Asst. superintendent of nurses or Asst. director of nurses or Chief dietitian or Chief physical therapy aides or Sergeant or Technician 4th Grade or Lieutenant or Petty Officer, 3rd Class
Destination Place:
Service Number: 16088167
*****
THREE FAMILIES THANKFUL, MISSING SONS ARE SAFE
Three Greater Muskegon men previously reported as missing in action in the European area, have turned up safe and well, it was revealed here today by their thankful families.
They are:
SGT. RALPH J. WORKMAN, 22 years old, an aerial gunner, and Sgt. Harold C. Brooks, Jr., 21 years old, chief radio operator, both on the same B-17 bomber, and the sons of MR. and MRS. JACOB WORKMAN, 528 Oak avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Brooks, 2111 Mills avenue, North Muskegon; and Pfc. Joseph Sibary, 936 Sixth street, a paratrooper.
The two airmen were by coincidence assigned to the same Flying Fortress which was hit on June 15 during its first mission by anti-aircraft fire while over the target at Bordeaux, France, on the Atlantic coast about 125 miles north of the Spanish border. Seven men were seen to parachute from the disabled craft whose pilot a few seconds later regained control.
The Workmans were notified Aug. 18 by the War Department that their son was safe and well in a neutral country, and on Sunday received a cable from Sergeant Workman, himself, also stating that he was safe and well.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks heard from their son on Sunday, and on the following day from the War Department that Sergeant Brooks was safe and well, although they were not told his location.
Sergeants Workman and Brooks, formerly worked at Continental Motors corporation but were not acquainted until assigned to the same aircraft.
THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, Muskegon, Mich., Wed., Aug. 23, 1944, Pg. 2, Cols. 4-5, Art. 1 (Three Families Thankful, Missing Sons Are Safe - EXCERPT)
*****
GEORGIA DEATH INDEX (FamilySearch.org)
Name: Ralph J Workman
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 04 Nov 1960
Event Place: Bibb, Georgia
Registration Date:
District/Parish/County: 160
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Race: W
Birth Year (Estimated): 1922
Record Type:
Certificate Number: 29228
Inscription
--------†--------
RALPH J. WORKMAN
Michigan
S Sgt 3501 Base Unit AAF
WORLD WAR II
Feb. 10, 1922 - Nov. 4, 1960
Family Members
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