FRANK SHOBLASKA

Frank Shoblaska Killed in Plane Crash Sunday
Local Airport Manager Plunges To Instant Death At Livingston, Wis.,
When Plane Hits Air Pocket While Stunting
Frank Shoblaska, 38, manager of the municipal airport in this city and a flier
of 12 years experience, was instantly killed Sunday afternoon when a plane in
which he was performing for an air show at Livingston, Grant county, Wis.,
crashed from a height of 500 feet.
More than 1,000 Witness Crash
More than 1,000 farm folks and townspeople witnessed the tragedy which occurred
midway in a program of stunt flying being put on by Mr. Shoblaska and other
aviators. The balance of the afternoon’s program was immediately cancelled.
Shoblaska and Herman Salmon, Detroit parachute jumper and assistant manager of
the Manitowoc airport, left Manitowoc Saturday noon for Livingston. They flew two
small Waco straight winged monoplanes from here. Later they went to Madison and
flew the large tri-motored transport ship, which had been in use there, to
Livingston.
Killed Instantly
Shoblaska took his ship up to perform for the several hundred persons attending
the air show, shortly after 3:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon. He was flying upside
down after completing several hoops and barrel rolls when his ship was seen to
falter, go out of control and nose earthward.
The plane plummeted to the ground on the Fred Davis farm, a quarter of a mile west
of the airport. Hundreds rushed across the field to the wrecked plane.
Lincoln Thomas, manager of the airport at Livingston, who had been flying with the
Manitowoc aviator earlier Sunday, said it appeared to him that Shoblaska flew into
an air pocket, then ___ __ plan out of control. He said lack of altitude prevented
Shoblaska from righting the ship in time to save himself. The wreckage did not catch
fire. Shoblaska is believed to have cut his switches before the plan struck the
ground.
Took Passengers Up
Between stunts Shoblaska and Thomas spent most of the day taking up passengers for
short flights.
A resident of Manitowoc since 1920 Shoblaska came here from Antigo where his parents
reside. He engaged in the automobile business before taking up flying three years
later. He was a World war veteran and saw service in France. At that time he sought
to enlist in the aviation corps but was rejected because of his youth.
Soon after taking up flying Mr. Shoblaska earned sufficient hours in the air to
secure a pilot’s license. He established a hangar and flying
(continued on page 9) FRANK SHOBLASKA KILLED IN CRASH (Continued from page 1)
field northwest of the city and became a commercial pilot.
When Manitowoc purchased the municipal airport on Menasha avenue and erected a
modern hangar, Mr. Shoblaska was made manager.
Widow Survives
Shoblaska was instrumental in bringing numerous air meets to the city and also
contacted army flying officials to visit Manitowoc on their cross-country flights.
He was largely responsible for the visit to Manitowoc this summer, of the 61st
coast artillery (AA), from Fort Sheridan, Ill. The unit, comprising nearly 500 men,
encamped, for three weeks at the municipal airport.
In 1928 Mr. Shoblaska married Miss Edith Clark of this city.
Survivors are his widow; a son, Clark, 2; a daughter, Cynthia, 4; parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Julius Shoblaska, Antigo; three brothers, Harry and George, city, Gordon,
Antigo; three sisters, Mrs. Joseph Guenthner, Mrs. William Brandt, Mrs. Alfred Keen,
all of Antigo.
The body of Mr. Shoblaska reached Manitowoc from Livingston, shortly before noon
today. It was flown here in a three-motored transport plane with two planes acting
as escort.
Mr. Shoblaska was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed. It is expected services will be held
here on Wednesday. The body is at the Frazier mortuary.
Manitowoc Herald Times, August 24, 1936 pp. 1, 9
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MASONIC RITES FOR SHOBLASKA
Aviator To Be Buried Thursday From Masonic Temple
Masonic funeral rites will be accorded Frank Shoblaska, municipal airport
manager and veteran flyer, who was instantly killed when his plane dove
into a field from a height of 500 feet at Livingston, Wis., Sunday.
The services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. from the Masonic Temple. The
Rev. Victor Nearhoof of the St. Paul's M.E. church will officiate. Pall
bearers will be Foster Nels, Earl O. Vits, C.C. McDermand, Walter Gerbinsky,
Arthur Barrie, and Walter Fritsch.
Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Tuesday, August 25, 1936 P.2
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[bur. 08-27-1936/age 38 yrs/died at Mifflin, WI/cause: accidental-plane
crash/bur. on Mrs. Arthur Fishbeck lot. He died 8/23/1936 in the township
of Mifflin, Iowa County, WI.]