Galena Advertiser
11 January 1945

Galena Man Found Dead of Self-Inflicted Shot

Sherman Williams, 63, was found dead at his home on High street Monday evening by Edmund “Corky” Diers, after Mr. Diers became suspicious when the lights in the Williams home had not been turned off for two days.

Upon investigation, Mr. Diers found the body lying across the bed, a rifle clasped in his hands, the index finger on the trigger and the left hand still holding the barrel of the gun near the head. A bullet had entered the forehead and passed through Mr. Williams’ head and lodged in a nearby wall.

At an inquest held Tuesday afternoon at the Bertsch Funeral Home by Coroner R. W. Bertsch, the verdict of the jury was that Mr. Williams had taken his life while in a despondent state due to ill health.

Members of the jury were Sam Meisner, R. E. Calderwood, H. H. De Graff, R. N. Hunkins, Marshall White and Clem Koehler.

Bearing a similarity of names of a well- advertised brand of paint, he had followed the occupation of a painter until ill health forced him to retire several years ago.

Mr. Williams is survived by a brother Charles of Chicago, who recently suffered two strokes and was unable to attend the funeral which was held at the Bertsch Funeral Home this afternoon at 2:30 with Rev. M. W. Merrell of the South Presbyterian church officiating.

Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery with the following acting as bearers: Harry Knoebber, Fred Holz, Andrew Ivory, Edmund Diers, Roy Felderman, Earl Casserly.