Submitted by Melva Taylor
The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
March 18, 1949 - Friday, pg. 2, col. 4
BERNAL DEL HELLIER
Tampico Man Fatally Injured in Explosion In New Mexico
Tampico: - Bernal Del Hellier, 35, died in the General Memorial hospital, Silver City, N. Mex., Wednesday, March 16, at 1 p.m. of injuries received in a gas explosion and flash fire which completely wrecked his home Monday.
Mr. Hellier had gone to New Mexico from Tampico about ayear ago for his health. The fatal explosion assertedly was caused by a leaky city gas main.
Funeral arrangements will be completed upon arrival of his body, expected to reach Sterling Sunday evening.
Mr. Hellier had just returned Monday evening from the copper mine where he was employed and was alone in the house at the time of the explosion. Just what caused the gas to ignite is not known, but the resultant flash fire scorched the exposed portions of furniture, leaving contents of drawers relatively untouched.
Reported Leaking Gas
Mr. Hellier's landlady had reported the leaking gas to the city and workmen had been attempting, but with no success, to locate the leak.
A physician reported his death was due to concussion, shock and burns which covered 70 percent of the surface of his body. Immediate cause of death, according to the physician, was shock.
Surviving are his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Richard B. (Evadne) Kelly of Tampico and Mrs. William B. (Evaline) McCabe of Downers Grove.
A brother, Robert E. Hellier, died April 22, 1946.
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The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
March 23, 1949 - Wednesday, pg. 8, col. 1
BERNAL DEL HELLIER
Tampico: - Funeral services for Bernal Del Hellier were held in the Parent chapel Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Hollis Wharton, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the service.
Interment was in the Tampico Memorial cemetery with Harry Hurd, Jr., Donald Sibley, LeRoy Kelly, William Calsyn, Nim Gosney and Laurde Renner serving as pallbearers.
The music was recordings of organ instrumental music and "The Lord's Prayer" was sung. The many beautiful flowers were in charge of Mrs. Ed Fullerton, Mrs. August Brandau and Mrs. Elwood Rakow.
Relatives attending from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. William B. McCabe, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Turner, Robert McCabe and Miss Marilyn McCabe of Downers Grove; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Russell of Chicago.
Bernal Del Hellier was born Jan. 28, 1914 at Tampico, the son of Robert Northcott and Blanch Fell Hellier.
He incurred fatal injuries in a gas explosion and flash fire at his cottage home in Silver City, N.M., on March 15 and passed away March 16 in the Silver City Memorial hospital.
Bernal Del received his education in the Tampico schools and spent his entire life in this community. About a year ago he went to New Mexico hoping the climate would benefit his health.
At the time of his death, he was employed as a shovel operator for the Isbell Construction company in Hurley.
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