| Graduation Year | Class of 1989 |
| Date of Passing | May 16, 1987 |
| About | 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. |
