Danny Muthig
July 28,1955 - November 17, 1973
From Candy (Edwards) Gross
jimscandy@hotmail.com
and Mary Muthig
Austgen (at the end)
I was saddened to see that you had no info on Danny Muthig's death, that in
itself was a view into his life. Ever hear the recent country song "One of
these Days you're going to Love Me"? Danny was the little boy who was
picked on because he was different. I met Danny when the Jr Highs merged into
"East Tipp Jr. High", Danny must have been from around Americus,
because Dawn Haas knew him quite well. I belive he had no father in the home and
a very financially challenged Mother. He was a skinny red head in old clothes,
the easiest target for everyone to pick on. Every one but Dawn, she was like
that, she even befriended "Crybaby Candy" who spent most of Jr high
crying over the death of her Mother in 7th grade.
But back to Danny... all he wanted was to have friends, he would do anything
if asked to try to get someone to be his friend; if it was kind. If you asked he
would give you his last candy bar, he even carried cigarettes he didn't smoke to
try to trade for friendship; these were handed out to his worst persecutors
along with those who didn't hurt him. (ie Dawn) And his kindness was usually
returned with ugliness. He would not do something hurtful if asked, no matter by
who or what his saying no would get him. He was invisible to most of his
classmates, took VoTech classes, being in that wing off to itself away from
those of us who were "Main Stream" & "on our way"; maybe
it insulated him some from the taunts and jeers.
Danny was the first of our class to die. While the rest of us were staying
close to our little plans and safe little lives, Danny went on a real adventure.
He treated himself to a trip to DisneyWorld, had to hitchhike part of the way
home; he almost made it. Just inside Lafayette he was hit by a pickup truck,
someone going to work, and they didn't even realize they'd hit anyone. Danny
died like he went through most of High School; alone & overlooked. When the
driver came forward, it turned out to be someone who had known Danny. Just a
strange twist.
These are my memories they may be clouded from advancing age and living with
two seventeen year olds.
An obit for Danny:
He was the one most of us never even saw,
He was the untaken opportunity to fill a need for Kindness
He was a chance for us to be better than ourselves
He was a treasure we discarded
He was the one God told "You deserve Better, Come Home"
Candy Edwards
4/23/00
I'm Danny's step-aunt. My brother Jim was married to his mother. Since we
didn't live nearby we seldom saw Danny. However, he appeared to be a very
kind and pleasant young boy the times we were together.
Thank you for your lovely remembrance.
Danny was born July 28,1955 and died November 17,1973.
God bless you for being a good friend to him.
Mary Muthig Austgen
