Earl Abdon DeCastro

Earl DeCastro, Victim of Accidental Shooting, Dies in St. Joseph's Hospital in Alliance; Services to be Held Sunday

Death tragically ended an accidental shooting when it claimed the life of Earl Abdon DeCastro at 11:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 8th, in St. Joseph's hospital in Alliance, Nebr., where the young man had valiantly fought for his life during the past week. Word of his death was received here by telephonic message and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy McLain and his uncle and aunts, Mr. and Mrs. Abdon DeCastro and family, and Mrs. Lila Johnson of this city departed early this (Thursday) morning for Hay Spring, Nebr., the family home of the young man.

Concluding services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 12th, from the Methodist Church in Hay Springs, Nebr.

Earl Abdon DeCastro, eldest son of Dr. Addison and Mae Louise (McLain) DeCastro, was born June 15th, 1934 in Lusk, Wyoming and departed this life Wednesday, August 8th, 1956 at the age of 22 years, one month and 24 days. Death was due to injuries received when he was accidentally shot with a .22 caliber pistol by and 11-year-old boy, whom he was teaching to shoot a gun, on Wednesday, August 1st, on a ranch ten miles from Hay Springs, Nebraska.

The young man attended school at Hay Springs, Nebr., where he was graduated from High School with the class of '52. He then attended the University of Wyoming for one year.

On Friday, August 14th, 1953, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Joyce Hanks of Hay Springs, Nebr. They became the parents of two children, Vernie and Yvonne.

Earl was inducted into the U. S. Army on August 24th, 1953 and served a year in Germany, where he was joined by his wife, Mary. On June 12, 1955, he received his military discharge in New York City, and he and his family returned to their home in Hay Springs. During the past year, he had attended college at Nebraska State Teachers college in Chadron, Nebr., taking a pre-medical course.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children, Vernie and Yvonne, his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Addison DeCastro, two brothers, Dwyer and Douglas, all of Hay Springs, Nebr., his maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Roy McLain of Lusk, Wyo., and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. DeCastro, Sr., well-known pioneer residents of Niobrara County.

Thon Book 7
August, 1956
Earl DeCastro Dies From Accidental Gunshot Wound

Earl DeCastro, 22, of Hay Springs died August 8 at St. Joseph Hospital at Alliance from the result of an accidental shooting August 1. Funeral services were held Sunday from the Methodist Church in Hay Springs at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. K. D. Moore officiating. Burial was made in the Hay Springs Cemetery.

A male octet composed of Phil Dotson, Bud Larson, H. Edmund Hardman, Art Voss, Gene Haefer, Gene Corman, Wayne Pesacka and Rex Tulles all of Hay Springs , sang "The Lord's Prayer" and "Be Still My Soul". Mrs. H. Esmund was organist.

Active casket bearers were Dick Jagers, George Gaswick, George Goff, Larry Jensen and Norman Rasmussen, all of Hay Springs, and Brian Heinz of Henry. All were former schoolmates.

Earl Abdon DeCastro, son of Dr. and Mrs. A. B. DeCastro of Hay Springs, was born June 15, 1934 at Lusk. He was reared in Hay Springs and graduated from high school there in 1952 where he was very active in all sports, band and a member of the livestock judging team.

August 14, 1953 he married Miss Mary Hanks of Hay Springs. They had two children, Vern and Yvonne.

He enlisted in the armed services and he and his family spent 18 months in Germany. Upon his return from the service, he enrolled in Nebraska Teachers College at Chadron,for a predental course.

Survivors are his wife, Mary, two children, his parents, two brothers, Dwyer and Douglas of Hay Springs and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy McLain of the Royal Valley Community.

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