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Saturday, May 16, 1987
AHS sophomore's die in fiery car crash
A progressive dinner that a group of friends had planned became a memorial prayer service after two of the teenagers died in a fiery car crash in Freeborn County this weekend.
Killed in Saturday nights crash were Mark L. Murphy, 16 and John C. Wiseman, 15 both sophomore's at Austin High School.
Authorities said the car swerved from Freeborn County RD 35 about 2 miles southwest of Blooming Prairie, traveled 275 feet in the north ditch until it struck a retaining wall along a bridge and became airborne. It returned to the ground, striking a field driveway and became airborne again, flipping on to its top, then back on its wheels before bursting into flames.
Murphy and Wiseman had been at the rear of a three-car caravan from Austin to visit friends on a farm near Blooming Praitie. Their five friends in the first two cars said the flames were too intense to approach the wreckage.
Freeborn County authorities said today the accident reconstruction phase of the investigation is still in progress.
Grieving friends of the two held a memorial prayer service Sunday evening at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.
Both boys were active in high school music activities, Wiesman, a violist, and Murphy a percussionist. Wiseman was also active in Boy Scouts, two merit badges short of the Eagel Scout award.
Mark L. Murphy is survived by his parents, John and Judith Murphy, Austin; a brother, Matthew Murphy, Austin; a sister and brother-in-law Mildred Renee Murphy and Alfrado Jimenez, Raleigh, NC.; grandparents, Milred Schradle, Austin; Willard Murphy, Guckeen, Minn; aunts; uncles.
Funeral services will be held at 10 am. Wednesday at St Augustine Catholic Church, Rev. Charles Quinn officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. A wake service will be held at 7:30 pm. Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 3 to 9 pm Tuesday and 8 to 9:30 am on Wednesday. The family prefers memorials.
John C Wiseman is survived by his parents Paul J. and Jean Wiseman, Austin Rt 2; a sister Joy Wiseman, Austin; two brothers, Jeremy and Jeffery Wiseman, Austin; grandmothers, Mrs. Patricia Wiseman, Austin, and Mrs. Tena Kvam, Glenville; a great-great-aunt, Mrs. Zoe Pickett, Austin; aunts; uncles; cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm Wednesday at St Olaf Lutheran Church, Rev. Glenn Nycklemoe and Rev. Robert Toso officiating. Interment will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Mayer Funeral Home from 3 to 9 pm Tuesday and 8:30 to 11 am Wednesday and at the church one hour before the service. The family prefers memorials.
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Sara Stilwell (Moe)
I remember vividly the night that John and Mark were killed. I went to Church that morning and someone asked how I was doing. I was like "great". Then when I went to the service and heard what happened, I felt sick. I have so many "Church" memories with John Wiseman, Courtney Benedict, Mark Lees, Missy Kuchera, Kirstin Toso, Krista Ruzek, Rachel Schommer, Kim Carroll, and many others. I still think of John and Mark from time to time.Krista Ruzek (Guthrie)
My memories are of church also. He was a fellow trail blazer in the Boundry Waters. It was a week of freezing cold and wet weather, but we toughed it out. On the last day, it was so beautiful. The water was so still you could see another world in the water. I feel fortunate to have shared that experience with John.Rachel Schommer
omg.. i was just telling my daughter about that day..it was THE saddest day i can remember.. it still hurts when i think of them both.. im glad to see they and others that have passed on are not forgotten..Kimberly Carroll (Klein)
Wow! I didn't expect the tears that came as I re-read the story. That was such a tragic moment in our lives-- to lose our friends at such a young age...and in such a horrible way. I remember getting a call Sat. night after the accident to come in to the church where John's sister, Joy, the pastor and other friends from school and church were all gathered to try to offer some kind of consolation to each other. We prayed for the families of both John and Mark and cried until we couldn't cry anymore. I went to school with John since kindergarten and as Sara and Krista mentioned, we were all very close in our church youth group as we were growing up. We had a lot of fun times and I thank God for the memories we have with them.Loanna Pettry (Dempsey)
John had a queit sense of humor, but if you listened he would make you laugh. Like others, I have many church memories with John. Too many to count. The one thing I really remember are his soft brown eyes...I remember when Jenny Zimmerman called to tell me I thought she was joking and actuall was mad. When I got to church that day and found out, I was so stunned. I remember John and Mark in my prayers every day.