Inc. 1967
Thomas Allen Steer Jr.,16,921 Summit Ave.,Monessen,who was shot behind the right ear Sunday,Nov. 3,1957,died Thursday night,Nov. 7,1957 during a delicate brain operation at Mercy Hospital,Pittsburgh. Doctors were attempting to remove a .22 caliber rifle slug that had moved from the ear to the brain when death came about 11:30 p.m. He had been in a coma and near death since the shooting which took place near Twilight about 3:30 p.m. last Sunday when the victim and four companions were engaged in "target practice" with .22 caliber rifles. The son of Mr.and Mrs. Thomas Steer,the Monessen High School junior had been reported as "somewhat improving"enough to have the operation attempt to save his life. His mother was at his bedside constantly. It was learned that Thomas Steer and two other youths had gone to a spot near the reservour of the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway off Twilight Hollow for "target practice." There they met another youth and a girl. Reportedly,the youths started to "horse around." In the by-play that followed,a bullet pierced Thomas Steer's right ear. It was said tht the youth who did the shooting had intended to shoot over Thomas's head. It could not be learned if the slug richocheted off a tree before it pierced Thomas. It is believed the shooting will be termed as "accidental." Thomas was a student who got along well wth everyone. Despite the tragic loss of her son, Mrs. Steer took the time to warn other persons,particularly youngsters,to be very careful when using firearms. Besides his parents,the youth is survived by two sisters,Mrs. Don (Betty Jean) Zenobi,R.D.,Charleroi and Nancy Lee at home. Friends will be received after 1 p.m. Sunday at the Edwin Melenyzer Funeral Home,262 Donner Ave.,Monessen,from where funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Lloyd Erb,pastor of First Baptist Church,will officiate. Burial will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
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