Obituary

Warren Edward Babcock, fifth child of Rollie M. and Emma Babcock, was born at Liberty Center, O., Sept. 12, 1922. He was the first of a family of seven children to be taken by death from his home.

As a very young child he was entered on the cradle roll of the Liberty Methodist Sunday school and grew up in this neighborhood.

His public school training was nearly completed and he was planning to graduate from the Liberty Center high school this spring.

Warren was recognized by all who knew him as a very competent young man with a bright future. He was vice-president of the F. F. A. and secretary and treasurer of the Liberty Center Champions 4-H club. He met his untimely death while on his eighth trip to the state capital, where he was to compete in the annual Farmers’ week state agricultural contests at Ohio State University.

His position and esteem in the hearts of his classmates and instructors always had been of a very gratifying nature; in other words, he was quite a favorite among them. His vacant chair, even as early in life as this, will be very noticeable. In him, the Grim Reaper has cheated our community of a promising citizen.

God allows some very mysterious circumstances to take place among men which we do not always appreciate, but some day will be better understood.

Warren departed this life on Feb. 2, 1940, at the early age of 17 years, 4 months and 20 days.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Babcock; five sisters, and one brother, Mrs. Frank Deller, Rhodes, Mich.; Mrs. Lawrence Lange, Napoleon; Mrs. Lawrence Kessler, Liberty Center; Marie, Joan and Orval, at home; one niece, Darla Gene [sic] Lange, of Napoleon, and one nephew, Jimmie Deller, of Rhdes, Mich., besides a number of other relatives and a very large circle of friends.

The funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 5, in the Liberty Center high school auditorium at 2 p.m., the Rev. L. D. Fauvey, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating and the Rev. Miss Tanier, pastor of the Pilgrim Holiness church, in charge of the music. Interment was made in Young’s cemetery.

Liberty Press article:

Accident on Icy Road Takes Life of High School Senior

An accident that cast a blanket of gloom over this vicinity occurred south of Findlay early Friday morning of last week.

Joe V. Myers, with a load of F. F. A. boys, winners in the First District Farm Parliamentary Procedure contest, were on their way to participate in the state contest at Columbus.

There are various reports as to how the accident occurred, but that it was the result of a skid on the icy road, is certain.

The car was occupied by Joe V. Myers, driver, his son Don, Franklin Rhoads, Richard Calkins, Buy Barlow and Warren Babcock.

Warren Babcock, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Babcock, high school senior, sustained injuries from which he died at about noon of the same day. The other boys and Mr. Myers were taken to a Findlay hospital. Two of the boys were released from the hospital the first of this week, but Mr. Myers and the other two are still there as the Press is printed, though it is thought that they can return home the last of the week.

Funeral services for Warren were held at the school auditorium Monday afternoon.