His life was spared long enough for him to explain how the accident happened, also to give parting directions to loved ones. In his last hours his special concern was for his dear one to whom he made the earnest request that they would not weep for him. No sooner was he conscious of the awful accident that had happened than he expressed the deepest concern for the young lady bookkeeper, Miss Ida Grelck, who was also a victim of the fire, and two little boys who were in the building both of whom were also burned to some extent. Human words fail to express the deep-felt sympathy of our people with the bereaved ones this awful catastrophe and the memory of it will linger with our people for many years to come.

Mr. John P. Rostermundt was born in the city of Manning on 12th day of October, 1887, making his age at day of death to be 33 years, 7 months, and 12 days. Aside from a short period of time in which he spent in pursuing a business course in Des Moines, his life has been spent here in this city where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas A. Rostermundt still reside. In the year 1906, he graduated from the Manning High School. This period of study was followed by a coarse study in our capital city, after which he clerked for about five years for Rober-Wehrmann Company, the followed his entrance into business for himself by becoming a partner with Mr. Alfred Kuhl in the hardware store. For ten years he has been in this department of human activity where he made friends constantly by his cheerful manner and strict business integrity.

On the 24th day of August 1910, he was married to Miss Helen Weideman with whom he lived most happily and devotedly until death separated them. To this union was born two children, Beatrice and Maxine. His home life was all that could be desired as true love reigned supreme in that home.

In early life, Mr. Rostermundt was baptized in the Lutheran Church which his parents were and are members at the present time. He was a member of various organizations in our city, among them the A.F. & A.M., the Eastern Star, the Manning Schuetzen Verein, and Fire Department of which he was one of the leading members. During the fire tournaments throughout the state of Iowa, in which Manning was represented, Mr. Rostermundt was the leader of the running team helping to win several of the silver trophies which are now in possession of the Manning Fire Department.

Mr. Rostermundt leaves to mourn his untimely death his devoted parents, his true and loving wife and children, also a brother, Mr. Harry Rostermundt of Gray, Iowa, with a whole community of friends who most keenly feel the stroke created by his death.

The funeral services took place from the M.E. Church today at 2 p.m. Rev. Dr. Tait of the Presbyterian Church preached a sermon from Revelation 21-1. Rev. Meredith of the M.E. Church, assisted Dr. Tait in the services.

The obsequies at the grave were taken charge of by the Masons accompanied by the members of the Eastern Star. His remains were solemnly laid away in their last resting place until the morning of the resurrection.
May 26, 1921 Manning Monitor

ONE KILLED, THREE INJURED IN GAS EXPLOSION
Every building in town was shaken last Monday afternoon about five o'clock when an explosion of gasoline occurred in the rear end of the Rostermundt & Kuhl Hardware store on Main Street, lifting half of the roof and blowing out the brick wall completely for a distance of thirty feet, causing the death of one and injuring three others.

John Rostermundt a partner in the business lost his life. Those who were injured were Miss Ida Grelck, book-keeper for the firm, Leeroy Zender, 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Ida (Kusel) Zender, and Ralph McGrath, 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Marie (Moser) McGrath.

Mr. Rostermundt and Miss Grelck were in the store at the time of the explosion. The boys were just alongside of the building when the terrific blast came that sent bricks across the street and a cloud of debris through the air. Several more people were very close to the scene but were only stunned by the awful shock.

Mr. Rostermundt lived ten hours after the explosion. His body was burnt through the flesh to the bones. Miss Grelck is in the hospital very low but hopes for her recovery are getting better from hour to hour. She received several burns from the hips down and on one arm. The boys were quite badly hurt, the Zender child receiving the most burns. At first it was thought that their injuries were vital but they are at present improving rapidly. Alfred Kuhl the other member of the firms had just stepped out of the building when the explosion occurred. Reinhart Stumpe and Edward Frahm, who are employed by the firm, were in the country at the time. There were no customers in the building, Mr. Rostermundt and Miss Grelck being the only people in the store.

How the explosion occurred no one knows as Mr. Rostermundt did not make any statement of just what happened only that he was in the back room and had warned Miss Grelck and the and the boys to run when he saw that there was danger. The next thing that happened was a roar and a sheet of flame and flying debris. Miss Grelck and Mr. Rostermundt coming out of the building, their clothing a mass, of flames.

Several men who were across the street rushed to their rescue tearing the burning clothes from their bodies.

They were taken to the Wyatt Hospital where every doctor in Manning lent a hand to help save the victims, but Mr. Rostermundt was so badly burned that he could not survive.

The Fire Department did quick and commendable work having the water turned on the burning building in just five minutes after it started. The building and stock is completely covered by insurance.
May 26, 1921 Manning Monitor