Atkinson Graphic June 2, 1958WM SEGER, 66, KILLED BY SHOTGUN BLAST
William P (Bill) Seger, 66, a retired farmer who had lived in the Atkinson community his entire life, was killed instantly early Monday morning, June 2, by a shotgun blast which struck him in the heart.
The body was found in the garage at the Seger home in the northeast part of Atkinson. Sheriff Leo S Tomjack said the fatal wound was self inflicted with a short barreled ?gauge shotgun which belonged to Mr Seger. No inquest was held. Time of death was set approximately 3 am.
Mr Seger had been in ill health for some time. His wife, the former, Eva Kelly of Oakdale, had been taking care of him in their home. She arose and prepared breakfast Monday and discovered that something was wrong when she went to her husband’s room to call him and found him gone.
Rosary was recited at the Seger Funeral Home Tuesday, evening, and the funeral services were conducted at 10 o’clock, Wednesday morning at St Joseph Catholic Church, the Rev Robert Morocco officiating.
Pallbearers were James Kubart, Earl Elsbury, Arthur Humpal,Eli McConnell, Melvin and Marvin Meals. Committal in St Joseph’s Cemetery was delayed until Thursday morning to await the arrival of Mr Seger’s only grandchild, Miss Shirley Seger and her mother, Mrs Robert Norton of Aberdeen, Wash.
William Paul Seger was a son of J Leopold and Elizabeth Allen Seger. He was born June 21,1891 on the farm four miles south of Atkinson and spent most of his life on that same farm. His father was the oldest brother of the late Paul, Donat, John and Max Seger and Mrs John (Jennie) Bauman. The Segers were pioneer settlers who came to this community from Chicago in 1880.
William was married to Miss Eva Kelly of Oakdale on Feb 28,1911 at Neligh. Their only son, Ivan, was killed in a vehicle accident in 1945 while serving in the Army in the European Theater of operations during WWII.
Mr and Mrs Seger lived on the Seger home place south of Atkinson until about ten years ago, when they sold the farm and moved to town. They later purchased the late Nick Kline place seven miles south of Atkinson and lived there until four years ago when they retired and moved back to Atkinson.
Mr Seger, a robust outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish, and was one of the community’s best known sportsmen.
He is survived by his wife, Eva; one granddaughter, Miss Shirley Seger of Aberdeen, Wash.Brothers, Frank Edward of Atkinson and John of Stuart; sisters, Mrs Minnie Eckhoff of Atkinson, and Mrs Charles (Margaret) Reber of Lewisburg, Pa.
He was preceded in death by his son, Ivan; one infant grandchild; one brother, Gustave and two sisters, Mrs Lee (Mary) Steskal and Mrs Matt (Carrie) Mick.