A land mine explosion which hit a U.S. convoy in Vietnam Thursday evening (Vietnamese time) resulted in the death of Maurice Gene Widick, 21, of Farnam.

According to a letter received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice "Bill" Widick, Friday he had only 64 days left (at the time of writing) in his Vietnam tour and was anticipating his return.

His parents were notified of his death Saturday evening. Funeral services are pending.

Maurice, a 1964 graduate of Farnam High School, was active in football, basketball and other school programs, according to Farnam Supt. W. P. Kriemelmeyer.

Futher detail was unattainable at press time Monday.

Tri-City Tribune, 19 Sep 1967

Spec 4 Maurice Gene Widick, son of Mr. & Mrs. Maurice (Bill) Widick of Moorefield died in action in Vietnam Sept. 15, 1967.

He was born in Gothenburg Sept. 5, 1946. He made his home with his parents until called to the service on November 22, 1965. He attended school in Farnam graduating with the class of 1964.

He leaves to mourn his passing his parents, M.C. (Bill) & Mildred Widick and three brothers, Frank at home, Bruce and Marsha of Kearney and Ralph, Madeline and children of Farnam. Grandmother, Mrs. Lottie Devine of Gothenburg. Grandfather, Mr. G.C. Widick of Farnam besides many other relatives and a host of friends.

Military services were held at the Farnam School gymnasium Sept. 22, 1967. Gene was buried beside his brother, Kent, who was killed in a tractor accident in July 1966.

Gene will be remembered by all who knew him for his cheerful and friendly personality.

Sp4 Maurice G. Widick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice C. Widick of Moorefield, was killed on Friday in Vietnam.

The vehicle in which Widick was riding in convoy struck a land mine. His death occurred just 40 days before he was to be discharged.

The 21-year-old soldier service with the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Friday afternoon, in the Farnam High School Auditorium. McVay Funeral Home in charge.

Gothenburg Times, 21 Sep 1967

Sp4 Maurice Gene Widick was buried in the Farnam Cemetery on Friday afternoon. Gene, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Widick of Moorefield, was killed in Vietnam the week before when a Viet Cong land mine blasted the convoy vehicle in which he was riding. He had just 40 days more and he would have completed his service.

Friends and relatives filled the Farnam school auditorium for the full military rites which were held for the young soldier.

Chaplain (Major) Paul Easley of Fort Riley, Kansas, who knew Gene at the fort, officiated at the service. Karen Rieker was organist.

Honorary Pallbearers were Albert Malsbury, Thomas Allen, Donald Cross, Walter Splinter, Gary Carr and Clark Cochran.

Pallbearers were Lewis Lehman, Richard Speck, Donnie Franzen, Larry Jurjens, Thomas Koch and William Hill, Jr.

Interment was in Farnam Cemetery with full military honors by Company B, 809th Quartermaster Battalion.

Born in Gothenburg on Sept. 5, 1946, Gene was killed in Vietnam on Sept. 15, 1967, just ten days past his 21st birthday.

Gothenburg Times, 28 Sep 1967