Obituary--George Trumbley

Unusual death again. This time by sliding gravel. The area I grew up in, closer to Hesperia, Dayton and Greenwood townships, and on northward have a lot of gravel pits and rocky farmlands.

From 19 January 1922 Fremont Times Indicator

SLIDING GRAVEL CLAIMS VICTIM

GEORGE TRUMBLEY MEETS HIS DEATH IN DAYTON PIT

George Trumbley of Stewart Avenue, Fremont, was killed Thursday morning at 8:30 o'clock while loading gravel in the Dayton township pit, a mass of frozen dirt rolling down upon him. The injured man was rushed to Gerber Memorial Hospital by Road Commissioner C. H. Love, but upon arrival, life was extinct.

At the time of the fatality a score of men, drivers and shovelers, wer in the pit, Commissioner Love being on top of the load in the Trumbley wagon, placing Gravel chunks. Mr Trumbley and five others were on the bank side of the wagon loading. Suddenly and without the usual filtering of sand usually proceding a movement of size, te clod started, turned over and fell upon the unfortunate man, striking him in such a manner as to throw him forward against the front wheel, his chin comng in contact with the rim of thw wheel, breaking his neck and jaw. His legs and one hip were crushed and his body bruised, unconsciousness saving him pain.

None of the other loaders was injured by the falling dirt, the team turning upon command of Mr Love and also escaping.

The Dayton gravel pit is located on the Clark farm, nine miles northwest of Fremont. The gravel was being hauled to the Stumpy Corners road west. Commissioner Love has used all possible caution in loading and no blame attaches to anyone. Repeated warnings have been given to the men to beware of falling gravel. At this time of year the banks are liable to develop mass pieces set by frost. To avoid danger, dynamite shots always are followed by personal investigation of the bank from aboe to see if cracks exist. In this case the dynamiting had been going on that spot and just what caused the clod to fall in the manner noted is problematical. Commissioner Love says the entire rolling piece contained not more than three-fourths of a yard of dirt.

The deceased lived on the old Ed Kennedy farm, five miles north of Fremont, and one mile east of Stumpy Corners. He bought the place about a year ago where he has since resided with his one son, about 20 years of age, and his wife who succeed him.

Joe Trumbly the father lived for many years in Garfield township and George spent a large part of his life on the home farm.

The funeral services, following a prayer at the father's home were held at the Congregational church, Saturday afternoon, Rev Magdanz officiating, where many sympathizing friends and neighbors paid tribute to the deceased man's propularity in the community. Interment was in Maple Grove cemetery.

Obituary Note
George Leland Trumbley was born Sept. 29, 1877 in the township of Garfield, Newaygo county, Mich. He passed from this life Jan. 12, 1922 at the age of 44 years, 3 months and 13 days. He leaves to mourn his going, wife and son, father and mother, brother and sister.

Totally a local boy, and if the gravel pit is the one I think it was, it may be closed now but was in active use into the last have of the 1960's at least, when I lived nearby. It was probably open even longer, but I don't have the figures handy.