This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Carter, Crotteau, Dernovsek, Shuda Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/UW.2ADE/1753.1 Message Board Post: The Willits News Thursday, July 17, 1969 Joe Shuda Loss Of Legs Feared A Willits logger whose legs were crushed in an accident near Ukiah several weeks ago may lose both his legs. Doctors at Mendocino County Hospital amputated Joseph Shuda's right leg at the knee following the accident. They say that Shuda still faces grave danger of losing the other leg due to infection that has set in. A late hospital report indicates that doctors will not even give Shuda a 50-50 chance of retaining his leg if the infection isn't controlled soon. Need The Willits man underwent surgery twice last week, and doctors are issuing an urgent call for blood donors as more surgery appears imminent. Estimates are that Shuda will need at least 50 pints of blood, and the call had gone out all over the Willits area. Donors may contribute at the county hospital in Ukiah on Aug. 3. Meanwhile, on Sunday, July 20, a Joe Shuda Benefit Day will be held at the A and W Drive-In on South Main St. in Willits. The net proceeds of the day's business will be donated to help pay Shuda's medical bills, according to drive-in owners John and Pat Alcorn. Donations A special trust fund for Shuda has been established at the Willits branch of the Bank of America, and well-wishers are invited to contribute donations. Persons interested in making a donation should contact bank manager Gene Davis. Meanwhile, doctors are still hoping to save Shuda's other leg, though they admit the future does not look particularly bright at this point. The Willits News Thursday, July 24, 1069 Joe Shuda Dies Willits logging contractor Joseph P. Shuda died last Thursday in a Ukiah hospital of injuries suffered earlier in a logging accident. Shuda, 42, had undergone corrective surgery as physicians at the hospital fought to save his life. But that effort climaxed in death last Thursday evening. A bulldozer operated by Shuda at his logging operation near Boonville overturned, pinning the Willits man under the canopy. Surgery Doctors amputated Shuda's leg and were attempting to save his other leg. Both had been badly crushed in the accident. Shuda was rescued from under the bulldozer by Elmer Standley, a chockersetter for Shuda. Mendocino County Deputy Coroners Barron Hanks and Charles Harrington said an investigation into the fatal accident was continuing earlier this week. Wisconsin Native A native of Wisconsin, Shuda moved to Willits with his family 15 years ago. He worked first as a truck driver and began contract logging last year. Hero At the age of 15, Shuda was awarded the Carnegie Medal for saving the life of a drowning cousin in Wisconsin. Shuda was a veteran of service with the army air force during World War II. Shuda was the husband of Emma Shuda, Willits; the father of Donald, James and JoAnn Shuda, also all of Willits. He was the brother of Lawrence Crotteau, San Francisco; Harold Crotteau, Wisconsin; Lucille Carter, Willits; and Irene Dernovsek and Rita Anderson of Wisconsin. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral Requiem Mass was celebrated Monday morning at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church. Burial was in Willits Cemetery. Anker-Lucier Mortuary was in charge of funeral arrangements. Mendocino County Indexes http://www.pacificsites.net/~pcarna Mendocino County Tombstone Photos http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mendocem/