Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-02
SOUTH BEND SADLY
RECEIVES REMAINS
Funeral Plans Indefinite Until
Widow of Late Coach
Arrives.
BY PAUL NICHOLSON,
Associated Press Sports Writer.


~OUTH BEND, Ind, April a.
Knute Rockne was back
y home" today. His epical
odyssey on earth was near
trails end.
All that was mortal Of the man
who blazed such a brilliant path
Of human achievement In his life
span Of only 43 short years, rested
peacefully in a closed bronze,
fower-banked caSket in quiet,
modest funeral home on North
Michigan street, just three short
miles from the campus OF old
Notre Dame.
The great Nordic chieftain Of Ameri-
can foot ball and good sportsmanship,
who but four days ago lefs South Bend
and Notre Dame with broad smile on
his face was back home" with the
BOYS he loved so well and with those
who loved him and who viii cherish MS
memory forever.
But instead of ecstasy and JOY, ne
dead and so were the hearts OF the
thousands who found it so hard TO pc
lIeve that their Rock" could pass on
20 traRically at the very zenith OF MS
glory-of Notre Danes glory.
win Seal Casket.
Never again were his friends to look
upon his face. The tragic crash OF the
airplane, which took his life In Kansas,
denied even that.
Those In charge Of the body viewed
1t and decided that 1t would be best 70
keep the casket sealed forever, except
to give his widow q one last glimpse at
the man every one cherished. But 1t
was doubtful whether Mrs. Rockne
would care TO see Rock" again under
the circumstances Of mutilation and
death. She, Ike all Of Rocks" boys,
wanted to remember him as ne was
when last she saw him-beaming, joking
and laughing.
Escorted by guards of honor, the body
Os the famous NotTe Dame foot ball
coach was returned TO South Bend last
night at 1I:O0 o'clock, but how vastly
different was the homecoming from
those Of the past.
The same thousands jammed the
railroad stations both here and In Chi
caRo as they did just four short months
ago when he led his foot ball legions
back from their glorious invasion OF the
West, but the same thousands were ST.
lent. awed and huShed as the -caSket
was trlcked quickly to waiting hearse
and taken slowly through the massed
throng to the McGann undertaking
parlor. where It win rest until the fu-
neral.
Funeral Plans Uncertain
Even today, pending Mrs. RockneB
planned arrival at pm. from Florida
where she received word Of her famous
husbands sudden death, funeral plans
were indefinite. It was the general be-
lief that the funeral would be held
Monday or wednesday from Sacred
Heart Church, on the Notre Dame
campus, where Rockne worshiped ana
where he was baptized six years ego.
En- route last night, Mrs. Rockne was
reported to have mentioned "the fu-
neral Saturday" but special dispense
ton from the bishop Of the Fort Wayne
diocese would be necessary because OF
Holy week.
Everything waited Mrs. Rockne's
wishes. She bore up wen under the
strain % her grief and was expected
20 reach . quick decision upon her
arrival @ % when the burial services
IRE 10 b held and where the body Il
TO BE- inferred, which win be either ct
sacred Heart Cemetery, just on the
Notre Dame campus, OF IN Chicago
It was very unlikely, however, that