Clarence Ishmael (Joe) CONYERS
The name the family knew Clarence by was "Joe", no one seems to remember
how he got this name.
The obituary of Clarence listed the following step-children: Mrs. Richard
Stiffler, of Tampa, Florida; Mrs. Melville Cole, of Orlando, Florida, Mrs.
Robert Shaw, of Muncie, Ind., Mrs. Donald Hobbs, of Muncie, Ind; Mrs. Charles
Conn, of Muncie, Ind.; Mrs. Earl Smith, of Muncie, Ind.; and one step-son
Herbert Davis, of Muncie, Ind. They were the children of Sharlet by a previous marriage.
The obituary of Rena May (Baker) Conyers, listed a daughter, Doris Doogan,
as having died in December 1964. This is presumed to be a child from a
previous marraige, as no family members recall Clarence having a daughter by
that name.
Clarence lived most of his life in Muncie, Ind. He was a retired employee of the Delaware Trucking Company and was a member of the Teamsters, Local 135 of Marion, Ind.
Rena May was a native of Henry County, Ind. and had resided in Daleville,
Ind., 20 years prior to moving to Muncie, Ind. She had been employeed at the
Ball Brothers factory at Muncie, Ind. for 7 years.
No further record of his wife and daugher as they did not keep in contact with
the Conyers family following Carl's death.
The following is from a newspapeer clipping kept by the family.
"Carl Ed Conyers, 40, drill press operator at Chevrolet - Muncie- fatally
burned at 5:10 last evening when a five gallon can containing kerosene exploded
as he was attempting to start fire in a heating stove at his hom (400 Warner
Road) Woodside addition at North edge of Muncie. Death occurred at 6:45
o'clock at Ball Hospital.
Coroner Gailson Stephson said that he suffered first, second and third
degree burns over the entire body. His daughter, Dorotha, who was with him in
the home, became hysterical following the arrival of police and fireman and had
to be restrained from rushing back into the house. Mrs. Conyers was not at
home.
Mr. Conyers had lived in and near Muncie his entire life. He was a member
of the CIO and the Whitely Methodist Church. Hee is survived by his widow,
Hazel; the daughter, the mother, Mrs. Emma Conyers of Muncie, and three
brothers, Earl, Clarence and Charles Conyers, all of Muncie.
The body was removed to the Potter-Stephens funeral home and funeral
arrangements will be made today. The casket will not be opened.
According to reports given police, fireman and the corner's office by his
daughter, Conyers had gathered kindling, preparatory to starting a fire in the
stove, which was in the dining room. He was unaware, police said, of live
coals remaining in the stove and his daughter tried to warn him of his dangeer
just as th explosion occurred.
The force of the explosion blew the bottom from the can and saturated
Conyers' clothing with the flaming liquid. He ran into the living room and
fell near a sofa. Then he regained his feet and went into a bedroom where he
attempted to smother the flames by rolling in the bed clothing. However, the
kerosene ignited the bed.
Conyers then staggered onto the front porch where a neighbor wrapped him in
a blanket in a vain attempt to smother the flames. All clothing was burned
from his body. When firemen arrived the interior of the house had been
destroyed and several pieces of over-stuffed furnituree ruined.
Conyers was conscious wheen firemen from No. 5 station and the service
truck from the Central station arrived. Within a few minutees he had lapsed
into semi-comsciousness. He was rushed to the hosptial in the city ambulance.