Joel "J.J." John McKelvey

3-Year-Old Boy Killed Under Truck Wheels

Three-year-old Joel John McKelvey was instantly killed Monday, October 22, at approximately 5:50 p.m., when the back wheel of his father's truck passed over his head, crushing the skull. His body was not discovered until about 8 o'clock the same evening. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph R. McKelvey of Lusk.

Little "J.J." as he was called, was playing football in the front yard of his home late Monday afternoon. Hearing the sound of the motor of his father's truck from the garage behind the house, he went in that direction. His sister, Bonnie, aged 6, went into the house, thinking her brother was going with her father. Meanwhile, the boy evidently took hold of the side of the truck as it was backing out of the garage, slipped and fell under the truck. The wheel, crushing his skull, apparently caused instant death.

His mother, believing he had gone with his father, did not become alarmed about his absence until about 8 o'clock, when she sent Gene, aged 13, to his father to see if the child was there. When it was learned that the boy was not with his father, a neighborhood search was started, which ended with Mr. McKelvey finding the body in the driveway.

The parents immediately rushed the child to the Spencer Hospital, but Dr. W. E. Reckling believed the boy had died instantly.

Funeral services were held in the Peet Chapel Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., with the Reverend Paul Schmidt officiating. Wreaths, inscribed with the initials "J.J." and banks of flowers were placed in the chapel.

Pallbearers were Charles Miller, Bob Warrick, Bobby Greene and Leonard Smith.

Miss Naoma Taylor sang two numbers to the accompaniment of Mrs. Judson Watson at the organ. Interment was at the Lusk Cemetery.

Relatives and friends attending the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. John McKelvey and children of Douglas, Patricia McKelvey of Casper, Mrs. Gruber of Casper, Mr. and Mrs. Will McKelvey and Mr. and Mrs. Peterson of the Van Tassell vicinity.

J. J. McKelvey was born September 9, 1942, at Lusk. He was baptized on October 30, 1942, at the Lutheran parsonage at Viborg, South Dakota.

Surviving him besides his parents, are one brother, Gene Edward; one sister, Bonnie Kay; is paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McKelvey of Lusk; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Soren Hansen, and one greaat-grandmother, Mrs. Johanna Olsen of Viborg, So. Dak., a number of uncles, aunts and cousins.

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