The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
December 23, 1947 - Tuesday, pg 1

ARTHUR  HANSEN  WHEELOCK

Tampico Youth Shot And Killed Accidently In Farm Barn Yard

Arthur Hansen Wheelock, 16, son of Cecil Wheelock, residing just north of Tampico, was accidentally shot and killed late Monday morning, while working in the barn yard at the farm.  His body, lying in fresh straw in the barn yard, was discovered when his stepmother went to look for him after he failed to answer her call for dinner.  The body was removed to the Wheelock Funeral Home in Rock Falls, where Coroner C. M. Freye will conduct the inquest this afternoon at 4:30.

Arthur had been loading some lumber in a wagon in the hog feeding lot. He had his .22 caliber rifle with him so he could shoot pigeons.  About 12:20 his stepmother called him to come to dinner. She got no response and then rang the dinner bell.  Failing to get any response after ringing the bell, she walked out to the barn to look for him and made discovery of the body.

Dr. L. C. Johnson was called and upon examination, stated that the boy had been dead at least three-quarters of an hour.  The bullet had pierced his heart.  His rifle was lying in the straw about 20 feet from the body.  Condition of the straw indicated that he had crawled that distance evidently trying to get to the house for help.

Arthur was born June 26, 1931, on the farm which has been his home all his life. His mother preceded him in death in 1934.  He attended South Hume rural school, until entering high school at Tampico, where he was a popular member of the junior class. He was a member of the assembly committee of his class, and recently took a leading part in the junior class play. He was an outstanding member of the track team.  The youth was a member of the Tampico Methodist Church.

Besides his father and stepmother, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bernadine McCombs of Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. Gladys Werner of Mendota, and two brothers, Keith Wheelock of Galt, and Wayne Wheelock of Tampico.  Funeral arrangements have not been complete.

December 24 - Wednesday pg 3

Accidental Death Wheelock Verdict

"Accidental death caused by a bullet piercing the heart," was the verdict of a coroner's jury at an inquest into the death of Arthur H. Wheelock at the Wheelock Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon.  The jury asserted that young Wheelock was accidentally shot to death by a projectile fired from a .22 caliber bolt action repeating rifle owned  by the deceased.

Mrs. Cecil Wheelock, stepmother of the youth, testified that she found the boy lying face down in the barn yard and immediately telephoned for aid to carry him into the house.  A Tampico doctor was called to the scene of the accident and pronounced him dean, according to testimony give.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Wheelock Funeral Home, Rock Falls. The Rev. Hollis Wharton of the Tampico Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Tampico Memorial Cemetery.

December 31 - Wednesday, pg 11

Funeral Services for Arthur H Wheelock

Funeral services for Arthur Hansen Wheelock were held Friday afternoon at the Wheelock Funeral Home in Rock Falls with a large attendance.  Sixty students of the Tampico High School attended in a body to pay last tribute to their schoolmate and friend.  About 250 other friends and relatives were present.  The Rev. Hollis Wharton, pastor of the Tampico Methodist Church gave a comforting sermon and brought words of solace to the sorrowing assemblage.  

Burial was in Tampico Memorial Cemetery with Meredith Anderson, Herman Harmsen, Arthur Fotzler, H. Cordes, Melvin Pearson and Carl Merrill acting as pallbearers.  The many beautiful flowers were in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rasmussen, Mr. and Mrs. Almery Cargrove, Mr. and Mrs. Coe Gaulrapp and Mr. and Mrs Paul Wetzel.

Arthur was popular with his classmates, was prominent in school affairs and had a promising life before him.  This life was tragically ended by the accidental discharge of a rifle with which he had been shooting pigeons. He was born June 26, 1931 on the farm which had been his home all his life. His mother preceded him in death in 1934.  Arthur attended South Hume school and later entered Tampico High School where  he was a popular member of the junior class. He was a member of the assembly committee of his class and recently took part in the junior class play. He was considered and outstanding member of the track team. He was a member of the Tampico Methodist Church.

Besides his father and stepmother, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bernadine McCombs of Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. Gladys Werner of Mendota; and by two brothers, Keith Wheelock of Galt; and Wayne Wheelock of Tampico, and by a step brother, Pfc. Eugene Brinkman who is in the service in Japan.

Out of town attendants at the funeral included Mrs.Ted Boehmer of Chicago; Clifford Wheelock of Waukegan; August Werner of Mendota; Charles Wheelock, and Mrs. Clarence Darnell of Galesburg.