Donald C. Bush died attempting to save George C. Diedrich from suffocation, Cedarsburg, Wisconsin, April 12, 1960. Diedrich, 47, laborer, entered a manhole 13 feet deep to open the valve on a water drainpipe and was overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas escaping from around the valve. A fellow workman saw Diedrich lying at the bottom of the manhole and called to others of the crew. Telling one of the men to summon the rescue squad, Bush, 27, director of public works, ran 300 feet to the manhole and, breathing heavily, descended to the bottom on metal rings attached to the side. He leaned over with his face near the valve and took hold of Diedrich. Another workman started into the manhole to assist Bush, who then shouted that gas was present and told the man to leave. As the man climbed out he looked back and saw Bush’s head drop onto his shoulder. Warned of the gas, others of the crew peered into the manhole and saw Bush slumped over the drain pipe with his head toward Diedrich. The rescue squad arrived, and one man entered the manhole wearing an oxygen mask. Bush and Diedrich were raised from the manhole by a rope. Diedrich was revived and hospitalized two months. Bush could not be revived.
45317 – 4418
45317-4418Obituary
Donald Charles Bush, son of Joseph and Anna Bush, was born in Cherokee County on September 13. 1933 and died on April 12, 1960 at Cedarburg, Wis., at the age of 26 years.
He attended Maryhill grade school and graduated from Wilson High School in 1951 He also attended Iowa State University at Ames -and Buena Vista College at Storm Lake.
In January. 1957 he went to Cedarburg Wis., where he served as assistant city engineer.
In June, 1957 he was united in marriage to Kay Sullivan of Storm Lake.
While serving for 2 1/2 years as city engineer he also was the city’s building, electrical and plumbing inspector. He had been attending night school at Marquette University in Milwaukee. In June he would have become a certified public engineer.
Survivors include his wife Catherine: two daughters. Mary Beth and Lisa Jane, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bush, two brothers. Orville (Mike) Bush of Cherokee and D W (Pat) of Denver; three sisters. Mrs. Ed (Lucille) Stoos of Cherokee Mrs. John (Mildred) Helmlinger of Cedarburg and Mrs. Tom (Alice) Finnegan of Ruthven.
Cherokee Daily Times: May 4, 1960.