Theodore S. Hojara

March 7, 1918 - Jul 21, 1973

A father and son fishing on the banks of Christiana Creek, 2½ miles east of here, were killed early today, Jul 21, 1973, when struck by an auto that slammed into a parked car and careened out of control off a bridge too land on them below. Ontwa-Edwardsburg Police Department patrolman identified the victims as Theodore Hojara, 55, of 51273 Arch Rd., Granger, and his son, Gregory, 7. They were pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. R. M. Knox, medical examiner.

Police said the Hojaras were fishing on the bank of the creek along U.S. 12 about 1:30 a.m. today when they were knocked into the water by an auto driven by Alan Sanders, 20, of 215 Parkview St., Elkhart. The car had been traveling east on U.S. 12 at a high rate of speed, according to officers. Patrolman Harold Howe pulled the elder Hojara from the water just five minutes after the accident. The body of the youth was recovered after a search of about 25 minutes. It was not immediately determined whether the Hojaras drowned or died from injuries incurred when struck by the car. Sanders was listed in fair condition this morning at Elkhart General Hospital.

A passenger in his John Babcock, 18, also of Elkhart, was treated for minor injuries at the hospital. Officers said Sanders apparently lost control of the car before colliding with the parked vehicle owned by Thomas Seggerman, 22, of Rt. 2, Edwardsburg. The auto was parked on the south side of the road. Police said that Seggerman® was in his auto when the accident occured, but was not injured. The bodies were taken to the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home. Police said the accident remains under investigation.

Hojara was born  March 7, 1918, in South Bend, and moved to Granger last year. He was a machine operator for the Bend Street Department. He married the former Ruth Ann Carles on June 8, 1963, in South Bend: She survives with three sons. David of Tampa, Larry of St. Petersburg, Fla.. and Raymond, at home: four daughters, Mrs. Victoria Campo of Semino, Fla., Miss Mary Hojara of Tampa, Robin and Kimberly, both at home: two stepsons, Jimmie Young of Florence. Ala., and Timothy Young, at home, a stepdaughter. Debra Ann Young, also at home; two grandchildren; five brothers, Frank. Walter. Arthur and George, all of South Bend, and John of Muncie, and four sisters, Pearl (Ray) Sommers. Cecilia (Harold) Smith, Lillian (George) Gerschöffer and Clara (Tom) Fox, all of South Bend.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.

Gregory Martin Hojara was born on Dec. 28, 1965, in South Bend, and would have been a second grade student at Penn Harris Grade School, Granger. In addition to survivors listed for his father. Gregory is survived by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Carles of South Bend

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

10/04/2024 EJS