November 18, 1896-May 22, 1927
FORMER NILES MAN LOSES LIFE CHASING SPEEDING MOTORIST
Lieutenant Vernon Rosenberger, 36, of South Bend, was killed Sunday evening near Elkhart while in performance of his duties as an Indiana state highway patrolman. Mr. Rosenberger was a son of John Rosenberger, 916 Regent street and of Mrs. W.J. Mills, 625 North Fifth street, and a native of Niles.
According to particulars of the accident given by Ralph Logan, Elkhart highway patrolman, who was with Lieut. Rosenberger when the accident occurred, they were pursuing a speeder when another car crowded them off the road near Yellow Creek, about three miles east of Elkhart. The car rolled over three times before finally stopping. Lieut. Rosenberger's skull was crushed and he died before reaching the General hospital in Elkhart, the hospital nearest the scene of the accident. Logan suffered a scalp wound and was severely bruised but not seriously hurt. He was able to assist a motorist who stopped at the scene in placing his companion in another automobile which rushed him to a hospital.
Vernon Rosenberger was born in Niles on November 18, 1896. He attended the Niles public schools and completed his high school education with a business course in a South Bend commercial college. During the World war although under draft age he enlisted and served overseas with a machine gun squad of the American forces. In 1922 he was married to Miss Anor Callendar, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Callendar who reside south of Niles. He was then employed in South Bend. Four years ago he was appointed a highway patrolman, and last fall was promoted to a lieutenancy. Besides his widow and parents, he is survived by one son, John Jr., age three and one brother, Floyd Rosenberger, 513 South Fifth Street, of Niles; also by his grandfather, Wall [sic] Rosenberger, age 83, who resides south of Niles near Brandywine.
The young officer was well known in Niles.
The body was to be brought this afternoon from Elkhart to his home at 383 Tonti avenue in South Bend. While the funeral plans were not completed this morning it was expected that the services will be held in South Bend on Wednesday morning.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday May 23, 1927, page 1, col 5, cont. on page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)