On Sunday morning of last week as Chet Nicholas, 57, of Protection and Jack Farrar of Medicine Lodge were working in the Kansas Power and Light building in Ashland blowing out lines, a flash fire ignited Chet's clothing and at that time he received burns which proved fatal. He died shortly after midnight Wednesday morning in the St. Francis Hospital, Wichita. He received burns over more than 60% of his body.Mr. Farrar was standing outside with his back to the building but turned in time to see Chet running from the building with his clothes aflame. It is not known how the flames started. Mr. Farrar received burns on his back, legs, and ears. He was not burned critically, however.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. in the Protection United Methodist church. Services will be in charge of Rev. Floyd McCague assisted by Rev. Carl Carrier. Burial will be in the Protection cemetery. Graveside services will be in charge of the Protection Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Elma, and children: Ronnie, Jerry, and Shirley (Thompson); also by three brothers, Leo, of Coldwater; Don of Gillette, Wyo., Bill of Palm Springs, Calif., and a sister, Bessie Jarnagin, of Coldwater. A sister, Flossie Johnson, and a brother, Almon Nicholas, preceded him in death.
An account of his life and of the funeral will be given next week.
The Western Star, May 8, 1969. Chester Jonas Nicholas, son of Walter George and Lillie Baggs Nicholas, was born April 17, 1912 at Follett, Texas. He passed away April 30, 1969 at the St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, Kans., from injuries he received in a gas explosion at Ashland, Kans.
Burns Fatal To Chet Nicholas
Chet was an employee of the Kansas Power and Light Co., and was a member of the Christian church, Masonic Lodge, Volunteer Fire department, and past president of the Lions Club in Protection, Kans.
He was married to Miss Elma Crum on September 3, 1932 at Kinsley, Kans. He is survived by his wife, Elma, two sons, Jerry Walters, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ronald Dean, Hurst, Texas; one daughter, Mrs. Shirley Thompson, Protection, Kans.; one sister, Mrs. Richard Jarnagin, Coldwater, Kans.; three brothers, Leo, Coldwater, Bill, Palm Springs, Calif.; Don, Gillette, Wyo.; six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Nicholas, one sister, Mrs. Flossie Ramsey, one brother, Almon Nicholas.
Burial with Masonic services were held at the Protection cemetery, Protection, Kans.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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