Ronald L. McKnight, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Murvin McKnight of 804 E. Locust St. in Olney, died in a tragic drowning accident at the Vernor Lake north of Olney, Tuesday evening, July 25, 1961.

He and a companion, David Paul, 17, of Olney were swimming near the dam at the rear of the lake. They were diving off a floating mattress, wearing underwater goggles and swimming toward shore, under water.

The Paul youth said he had dived from the raft about 200 feet from shore and looked around to see Ronald dive into the water. When he hadn't come up in a reasonable length of time, his companion started running out to aid him. He saw Ronald's feet come up out of the water and then his head came up momentarily, but David realized his companion was in trouble.

He shouted for help and then swam to help him. Four others who were nearby, Cody Easley, Douglas Cassady, Jim Stadge and Jerry Shive rushed to the scene and joined in the rescue effort. Mr. Easley recovered the youth about 15 to 20 feet from shore in four to five feet of water.

Mrs. Sally Stadge notified authorities, the fire department rescue squad came to the scene.

Ronald would have been a senior this fall at East Richland High School in Olney. He was employed during the summer at Mike's West Side Ice Cream Parlor. He was a member of Olney Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors are his parents; a brother, John and three sisters, Phyllis, Kaye and Brenda, all at home; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert McKnight of Flora and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bateman of Louisville.

Burial in Hoosier Prairie Cemetery north of Sailor Springs.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) - July 26, 1961