WALTER E. MUNSTERMAN
May 24, 1965
Walter E. Munsterman, 22, Shady Rest Trailer Court, North Lewiston, was dead on arrival at 10:35 last night at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was taken by ambulance after suffering a bullet wound to the head.
County Coroner Wilfred J. Duclos ruled the death was the result of a self-inflicted .22 caliber bullet wound. Munsterman was found at the foot of the steps leading to the trailer house in which his father-in-law, Rue M. Davis, lived.
Munsterman, who was employed at the Dworshak damsite near Ahsahka, had left the Davis trailer about 45 minutes earlier, Police Sgt. Jack Fannan reported. In the Davis trailer, which is only one away from the one in which Munsterman and his wife, JoReen, lived, were Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Munsterman and their 3-month son, Eric.
Fannan, who was called to the scene with Patrolman Delvin Peer at 10:28 p.m., said Davis reported he heard a car drive up and about 5 minutes later a shot was heard. Davis said he found Munsterman at the foot of the steps. Fannan said Mrs. Munsterman and her son were at the Davis trailer because the stove in their trailer had malfunctioned yesterday morning.
The gun, a .22 caliber Marlin lever action rifle, was found at the foot of the steps with one shot expended. Bullets were found in Munsterman’s car outside.
He was born May 6, 1943, at Lewiston, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Munsterman, 3412 7th St. He attended school at Lewiston and married JoReen Davis June 10, 1964, at Lewiston. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.
Other survivors include four sisters, Phyllis, Claudette, and Dorothy Munsterman, all of Lewiston and Mrs. Ruby Latham of Colfax. The body is at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are pending.