WATERMAN, Ill. | An 87-year-old Waterman man was killed Friday morning when he was struck by a train.

Harry W. Houghtby was hit by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train around 4:30 a.m. Waterman deputies and the fire department were contacted by the BNSF rail line. Houghtby was pronounced dead on the scene at Leland Road, south of Route 30.

“The incident appears to be a suicide,” said DeKalb County Detective, Rudi Ziegler.

Houghtby’s close friends are surprised by his death.

“I never saw this coming. I wish I knew why he did it,” said Loren Monsess, Houghtby’s friend and neighbor.

Monsess has lived across the street from Houghtby and his late wife, Betty, for over 30 years.

“Ever since his wife died last February he has been very lonely,” Monsess said.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller could not specify if any illness was involved.

“His health issues contributed to his demise,” Miller said.

Houghtby graduated from Shabbona High School. He farmed and drove a bus for the Shabbona-Rollo-Lee school district.

Houghtby married Betty Wyatt in 1940. In 1973, the couple built their house in Waterman.

Houghtby’s health began to wane in recent years. His sons took control of maintaining their father’s farmland following his retirement, Monsess said.