From theDecatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, IN; Saturday, May 29, 1971

 Ohio man is killed Friday in 2-car crash near Berne

A 64-year-old Celina, Ohio man, George Karch, became Adams County’s sixth traffic fatality early Friday afternoon following a two-car crash at the intersection of county roads 350 East and 700 South. The accident occurred five miles southeast of Berne.
Karch’s 59-year old sister, Esther, was listed in fair condition this morning at the Adams County Memorial Hospital where she was in surgery for at least two hours. Miss Karch suffered a dislocated left shoulder and severe abdominal injuries. An early evening cooperative effort between the Allen and Adams Counties Sheriff’s Departments was used to rush extra blood from Fort Wayne to Decatur for Miss Karch’s operation. The accident occurred at 1:30 p.m.
Also injured, but less seriously, was the driver of the other car involved in the wreck. Richard H. Minnich, 37, Geneva, suffered a broken left knee cap and head lacerations, and was reported to be in satisfactory condition this morning.

The crash happened Friday when the Karch car, with Miss Karch at the wheel, apparently ran a stop sign at the intersection, striking the Minnich auto in the side. The impact of the crash sent both cars spinning off the road and threw Mr. Karch out of the car, killing him instantly. His death was attributed to a crushed chest and other internal injuries.
The Karch auto was damaged by an estimated $1,000 and the Minnich car was damaged by $1,200.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police investigated Friday afternoon’s accident.
Adams County did not record a single traffic fatality in 1970 until the latter part of June
Funeral Monday

Mr. Karch, a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Washington Township (Mercer County, O.) was born near Celina on January 10, 1907, the son of Frank and Mary Rasawehr-Karch. He was never married.
Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Ralph (Mabel) Felver of Celina and Miss Esther Karch of Celina Route 5; three brothers, William Albert and Earl, all of Celina; and one nephew.

Funeral services will be conducted for Mr. Karch at 2 p.m. Monday at the Vale and Stein Funeral Home in Celina. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Sunday. Burial will follow at the Swamp College Cemetery with the Rev. William Hutsiler officiating.

(Contributed by Janice Vasilovski)
Forwarded by Karin King.