Obituary

Man Takes Own Life With .30 Calibre Rifle (1958)

John Armstrong, 66, prominently known resident of State Route 5, near Burning Springs, died from a self-inflicted .30 calibre deer rifle bullet wound in his car, parked by his home, Sunday morning, Jan. 26.

Armstrong had come to the Home Restaurant, City, about 9:30 a.m., as was his usual Sunday custom, to buy an edition of The Parkersburg news. He had apparently returned home immediately, entered his home to get the rifle, and returned to the car. His wife, in their home, did not hear the report of the rifle, but found him a short time later. The bullet entered his left temple, emerging from the right side of his head and struck the roof of the car.

A veteran of World War I, Armstrong had lost a leg in the battle of the Argonne forest. He used a crutch. He was a very good carpenter, formerly resided in Elizabeth, where he built a home on Washington Street after World War II, and had resided for the past few years at Burning Springs.

Born in Wood County March 22, 1891, the son of Frank and Ann West Armstrong, he is survived by his widow, Hazel Lewis Armstrong, who notified neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Neese, Parkersburg, who are building a summer home nearby, of her husband's death. Also surviving are two brothers, Raleigh and Bert Armstrong, both of Akron. O.; four sisters, Mrs. Clara Smith, Mrs. Laura Pickering, Mrs. Maude Buffington, all of Belleville, and Mrs. Jeanette Menz, of Akron.

Private funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Pomroy Funeral Home, City, with the Rev. Maurice Miller, City, officiating. Interment was at a family burial plot, Route 5.