Double funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at Trinity Methodist church, Ritzville, for Reinhold Hille, 35, and John Gillet, 35, prominent Adams county farmers who were victims of a drowning tragedy Saturday evening in Deep Lake near Coulee City. The Rev. Clifford Knight officiated. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery.

Mr. Gillett, Mr. Hille and Al Wagner of Odessa were in one boat heading for shore, followed by Don King Odessa, school teacher, in another boat when the accident occured. A quick turn capsized the boat in which the three were riding and King attempted to rescue them. He had Wagner in the boat, Hille was hanging on the side and was reaching for Gillett with the oar when the weight on one side overturned the boat.

King was, the only one able to swim, swam to shore and Wagner was picked up by a party of rescuers from nearby. However, they were unable to find the other two. The tragedy occured about 7 p.m. Search for the bodies began immediately and continued until late in the evening. The quest was resumed at dawn and soon afterwards, recovery was made (some details omitted.) Sheriff Joe Schafer of Adams county and Sheriff Gordon Nix of Grant county aided materially in the rescue. The two deceased were brothers-in-law.

Reinhold Emanuel Hille was born March 25, 1909 on a farm ner Ralston, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hille. He attended grade school at Ralston and was graduated from Ritzville high school. In 1932 he was married to Harriett Elizabeth Gillett. He spent most of his life farming in Adams county, although he worked at other occupations for several years. He was a member of Trinity Methodist church.

Besides his widow, he is survived by two children, Dorothy and Billy; four brothers; Emil, Everett and Boyd of Ritzville and Ruben of Spokane; two sisters Mrs. Mary Shelman of Spokane and Mrs. Arlene Roth of Ralston.

Ritzville Journal Times May 18 1944 Sue Gardner & gapwork90.

Double funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at Trinity Methodist church, Ritzville, for Reinhold Hille, 35, and John Gillet, 35, prominent Adams county farmers who were victims of a drowning tragedy Saturday evening in Deep Lake near Coulee City. The Rev. Clifford Knight officiated. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery.

Mr. Gillett, Mr. Hille and Al Wagner of Odessa were in one boat heading for shore, followed by Don King Odessa, school teacher, in another boat when the accident occured. A quick turn capsized the boat in which the three were riding and King attempted to rescue them. He had Wagner in the boat, Hille was hanging on the side and was reaching for Gillett with the oar when the weight on one side overturned the boat.

King was, the only one able to swim, swam to shore and Wagner was picked up by a party of rescuers from nearby. However, they were unable to find the other two. The tragedy occured about 7 p.m. Search for the bodies began immediately and continued until late in the evening. The quest was resumed at dawn and soon afterwards, recovery was made (some details omitted.) Sheriff Joe Schafer of Adams county and Sheriff Gordon Nix of Grant county aided materially in the rescue. The two deceased were brothers-in-law.

Reinhold Emanuel Hille was born March 25, 1909 on a farm ner Ralston, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hille. He attended grade school at Ralston and was graduated from Ritzville high school. In 1932 he was married to Harriett Elizabeth Gillett. He spent most of his life farming in Adams county, although he worked at other occupations for several years. He was a member of Trinity Methodist church.

Besides his widow, he is survived by two children, Dorothy and Billy; four brothers; Emil, Everett and Boyd of Ritzville and Ruben of Spokane; two sisters Mrs. Mary Shelman of Spokane and Mrs. Arlene Roth of Ralston.

Ritzville Journal Times May 18 1944 Sue Gardner & gapwork90.