Photo from Davenport Times-Democrat, April 5, 1973, p. 1. Scanned from microfilm at Davenport Public Library. 

News article: Davenport Times-Democrat, April 5, 1973, p. 1

Cyclist Killed

Thomas W. Wellmeier, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Wellmeier, 2128 W. 3rd St., Davenport, was fatally injured Wednesday [April 4, 1973] night when his motorcycle was in collision with a car at the intersection of Rockingham Road and Michigan Avenue, Davenport, police said.

Wellmeier was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. at Mercy Hospital, Davenport. The body was taken to Runge Mortuary, Davenport.

Wellmeier was not wearing a helmet, officials said.

Iva A. Rodgers, 73, of 1407 Michigan Ave., Davenport, received head lacerations in the accident and was taken to Osteopathic Hospital, Davenport. She was reported in satisfactory condition. 

Police said the Rodgers woman was a passenger in a car driven by Mrs. Eva Loretta Dean, 2414 Glen Place, Davenport. 

Authorities said the motorcycle was traveling east on Rockingham Road and was in a collision with the right front door of the Dean auto which was traveling from the other direction.

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News article:  Davenport Times-Democrat, April 6, 1973, p. 14

Woman Charged in Fatal Accident

A Davenport woman was charged Thursday in connection with a car-motorcycle accident Wednesday night in Davenport that resulted in the death of the motorcycle operator, Thomas Walter Wellmeier, Davenport.

Eva Loretta Dean, 71, of 2414 Glen Place, Davenport, driver of the car, was charged with failure to yield right-of-way while turning left.

Authorities said Wellmeier, 19, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wellmeier, 2128  W. 3^rd St., did not have a driver’s license valid for operating a motorcycle.

Wellmeier was pronounced dead on arrival at Mercy Hospital, Davenport. He died of head injuries, according to Dr. R.M. Perkins, Scott Country medical examiner.

Iva A. Rodgers, 73, of 1407 Michigan Ave., Davenport, a passenger in the car, was listed in good condition Thursday night at Osteopathic Hospital, Davenport, with head lacerations.

The accident occurred about 6:40 p.m. at Rockingham Road and Michigan Avenue.

Authorities said Wellmeier apparently suffered the fatal injuries when his head struck the car after the impact of the accident.

He was not wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the mishap.

Wellmeier’s sister, Laura, said, “He didn’t like wearing the helmet. He received it as a present from our brother-in-law when he bought his motorcycle about a month ago. It’s still sitting there in his room.

“He was always concerned with safety when he was riding because he was really proud of the motorcycle and didn’t want to damage it,” she said.

Miss Wellmeier added that her brother had ridden motorcycles before and was experienced.

According to police, the motorcycle was eastbound on Rockingham Road and struck the side of the car, which reportedly was attempting a left turn from Rockingham Road to Michigan Avenue.

Wellmeier was thrown from the motorcycle and landed about 30 feet from the point of impact, police said.

Mrs. Dean told authorities she did not see anything when she was attempting the turn.

Authorities did not know if the headlights on the motorcycle were on before the mishap, but an investigating officer said the headlight switch on the motorcycle had been turned on.

Both vehicles were demolished.

Services for Mr. Wellmeier will be 3 p.m. Saturday in the Runge Chapel. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.

Visitation begins at 9 a.m. today at the mortuary.

Mr. Wellmeier was employed at the Ralston-Purina Co.

He was born in Davenport. He graduated from Davenport Weswt High School in 1971.

Mr. Wellmeier is survived by his parents; sisters, Mrs. Steven (Sharon) Graham, Davenport, and Laura, Linda Sue, Katherine, and Judith Ann Wellmeier, all at home; brothers Michael and David, both at home, and grandparents Mrs. Laura Wellmeier, Davenport, and Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas Bernauer, Walcott.