Alverna M. McConnell attempted to save Irene B. Kibble from drowning, East Liverpool, Ohio, June 27, 1926. While swimming in deep water in the Ohio River, Miss Kibble, 21, became too weak to continue swimming. Alverna, 17, who was a poor swimmer and was clothed, swam 20 feet through deep water to her. Miss Kibble grabbed Alverna’s dress near the neck, and both were submerged. They rose, but Alverna was unable to free herself. A man then swam to them and forcibly separated them, a piece of Alverna’s dress remaining in Miss Kibble’s hand. He gave Alverna a push toward the bank, and she was barely able to swim to wadable water. Miss Kibble grasped the man, and in the struggle that followed, he was drowned. Miss Kibble was rescued a little later by another man. 26984-2106
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26984-2106Obituary
Alverna “Boots” Burris of, Ashtabula, Ohio, died at her home on June 28, 1990.
Born on June 9, 1909, in Patton, Pa., she was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Fitzpatrick) McConnell. Burris, who had lived in the Ashtabula area for 60 years, was employed as a cook at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School until her retirement in 1979. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and writing poetry.
She was buried beside her husband, Lester Burris, at Eastlake Cemetery in North Kingsville, Ohio.
(Edited from an obituary provided by a family member.)