ROBERT DEARMONT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN VICTIM OF COMBUSTION EXPLOSION

Funeral services for Robert G Dearmont were held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Nov 9 in the Assembly of God Church, Burwell, with Pastor Tim Norris and Rev M S Andersen officiating.

Music was by Clayton Montayne who sang "Amazing Grace" and "Beyond the Sunset". Mrs Robert Brockman was the organist. Pallbearers were Wade VanDiest, Stanley Gurney, Vincent Hulinsky, Merle Edghill, Elton Striker, and Eldon Hulinsky. Interment was in the Burwell Cottonwood Cemetery, and arrangements were by the Fleming Funeral Home.

Dearmont died Thursday morning in a flash fire in a small shed on his farm. Cause of death was listed as suffocation. Dearmont, a lifelong resident of the Burwell area, was in a shed on his farm vaccinating calves. Garfield County Sheriff’s office determined that Dearmont allegedly dropped the vaccination needle and reportedly lit a match to find it in the unlit barn. Reportedly the shed burst into flames and Dearmont sent his son for help but was unable to get out of the barn himself on time. Officials suggested that the right combination of dust, straw and weather temperatures could have caused an explosion in the small shed, trapping Dearmont.

Robert Dearmont, son of G L and Grace Dearmont, was born October 2,1928, at Burwell and passed away near his home November 7,1974 at the age of 46 years, one month and five days.

He grew up in this same area and has lived all his life here. He was united in marriage to Betty Lytle on May 19,1950 and to this union were born 10 children.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one son, Dee. He is survived by his wife, four sons; Ronald of Burwell, Dennis of Taylor, Jay and Don at home. Five daughters, Mrs Kenneth Counts, (Doris) of Comstock, Wendy of Norfolk, Betty, Kathy, and Mary all at home. His father, G L Dearmont of Burwell. Four brothers, John of Rose, Nelson and Charles of Burwell, Alvin of Lincoln. Four sisters, Mrs Donald Fischer, Mrs Jim Graham, and Mrs Milton Percell all of Burwell, and Mrs Martin Everhart of Claytonia. And a host of relatives and friends.