Henry L. Kreider, 41, of 606 South Seventh Street, was almost instantly killed shortly before noon today in an explosion in the storeroom and garage owned by his brother-in-law, Elmer E. Plasterer, implement dealer, of Midway.
There were conflicting versions of the fatal accident. Kreider, an electric welder, was said to be engaged in welding a metal gas tank of approximately 160 gallon capacity, supposedly empty, when the explosion occured.
The huge tank shattered and blew Kreider's head in half. Kreider's son, Richard, who was also working at the garage, escaped injury.
Both the Good Samaritan and Lebanon Sanitorium ambulances were rushed to the scene of the explosion, and Dr. John R. Groh of the latter institution, pronounced Kreider dead. The body was taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital and later turned over to the Risser Funeral Home.
There was no resultant fire following the explosion, but the interior ot the storeroom and garage was damaged to some extent by the blast.
William E. Dawson administrative head of the Good Samaritan Hospital, said Coroner W. H. Brubaker released the body to the custody of the funeral director.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Anna (Plasterer) Kreider; a son Richard; parents, Mr. and Mrs.Edwin B. Kreider, Lebanon Route 4, and eight brothers and sisters, as follows: Herman R. Kreider, Lebanon; Ira L. Kreider, Annvllle; Joseph M., Lester L. and Elizabeth Kreider, all of Lebanon Route 4; Mrs. David Gish, Palmyra R, D.; Elmer L. Kreider, Lebanon Route 4, and Mrs. Harvey K. Wenger, Lebanon Route 4.
Lebanon Daily News - Tuesday, February 10, 1948