World War I
John Martnick
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
DOD: February 1919
Soldier John Martnick, a well-known Wood River Foreigner, died in February 1919 at Camp Custer, Michigan, and his body was brought to Wood River for burial. The body was at Streeper Undertaking Parlor in Wood River. All soldiers in the neighborhood were asked to attend his funeral. Interment was in the Alton City Cemetery. Before entering service, Martnick was employed at Standard Oil Company.
Source: Taken from Wood River Journal article – February 27, 1919
World War II
Kenneth W. Baker
Age: 23
Branch of Service: United States Navy
Rank: ENS
DOD: April 5, 1944
Ensign Baker was killed in an airplane crash in the Atlantic on April 5, 1944. He was piloting an amphibious plane when the accident occurred. His body was not recovered. He graduated from EAWRCHS in 1942 and was employed at Shell Oil as a tester in the Inspection Lab until he enlisted in the Navy on July 6, 1942. During his high school years, he worked for the Wood River Journal. He received basic training at Beardstown and pre-flight training in Iowa. He was stationed at Lambert Field, STL during his flight training and received his Commission at Corpus Christi. After being commissioned, he was assigned to Norfolk, VA, where he married Nadine Gray of Wood River in September 1943. Mrs. Baker returned to Wood River when he was assigned to sea duty.
Spouse: Mrs. Nadine Baker, 858 Ferguson, Wood River
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Miles Haynes, 209 Acton, Wood River
Family Members: Brothers – John Virgil, a machinist in the U. S. Navy, and Melvin Lee Badman
Jesse R. Black
Age: 24
Branch of Service: United States Army Air Corps
Rank: SGT
DOD: April 25, 1944
Sgt Black was killed in a plane crash in England. He was 24 years old and had been overseas only a month. He was in the service for almost four years, having first been in the Quartermaster Corps of the Army, later transferring to the Air Corps. He graduated from high school in Springfield, IL, and came to live with his father in Wood River in 1937. Sgt Black is buried in Cambridge American Cemetery in England.
Parents: Roswell C. Black, 28 West Ferguson Avenue, Wood River
Randal J. Clark Jr.
Age: 25
Branch of Service: United States Marines
Rank: PFC
July 21, 1919 – September 23, 1944
PFC Clark (Buddy) was Killed in Action on September 23, 1944, during his first combat duty with the First Marine Division on Peleliu Island in the Pacific. He entered service on November 3, 1943. He was born July 21, 1919, in Wood River and received his education in the Wood River Schools, graduating from EAWRCHS in June 1937. Before entering service, he was employed in the lab at Shell Oil Company.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Randal Clark, 22 W. Lorena Avenue, Wood River
Spouse: Iva Ottwell whom he married on April 19, 1941
Children: One son Gary Jee Clark
Family Mebers: Sister – Mrs. Dorothy Schlieper
Maternal Grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Roady of Alton.
Funeral Services: Streeper Funeral Home in Wood River. Rev. Earl White, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Wood River, conducted the services.
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery in Alton.
Fred V. Coffler
Age: 25
Brach of Service: United States Navy
Rank: CBMA
January 1, 1920 – March 14, 1945
Chief Coffler was fatally injured in an accident on board a ship in the Philippine area. He was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack and had participated in many of the major battles in the Pacific. He had served aboard 4 ships, including the USS Indiana and USS Porter during long service in the Navy.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Ben Coffler of 33 Edwardsville Road, Wood River
Spouse: Mrs. Marguerite Mize Coffler of 93 Eckhard, Wood River
Family Members: Sister – Mrs. Cora Brown of Wood River
Funeral Services: St. Bernard’s Catholic Church with Father E. J. Douglas officiating.
Lewis E. Diefendorf
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
DOD: October 18, 1944
Pvt Diefendorf was Killed in Action in Italy on October 18, 1944. He was previously listed as missing in action. Pvt Diefendorf entered service in October 1943 and received his basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. In February 1944, he left Fort Meade for overseas. He received additional training in Italy in mountain climbing and was a radio operator. Before entering service he was employed in the physics laboratory of East Alton Manufacturing Co.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Frank Diefendorf
Spouse: Emm Rhea Diefendorf, 237 9th Street, Wood River
Paul P. Fox
Age: 21
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: 1SG
July 23, 1911 – March 28, 1945
1st Sgt Fox was a member of the 11th Armored Division of General Patton’s Third Army and had been overseas since October 1944. He died of wounds he received in Germany. He graduated from St. Bernard’s Parochial School and EAWRCHS. Before entering service, he worked at Standard Oil Refinery. He received his training at Camp Polk, Louisiana.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fox, 23 Marguerite, Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Edward of Wood River
Sisters: Mrs. Lyndell Green, Mrs. Mary Kerr, and Mrs. Margaret Robertson
Milton J. Goldfarb
Age: 25
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: 1LT
January 9, 1918 – March 12, 1943
1LT Goldfarb died from injuries received in an accident at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1939 with a Liberal Arts & Science Degree. He is listed on the Illini Gold Star World War II Memorial. His parents owned the Goldfarb’s Dept. Store in downtown Wood River.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Ben Goldfarb of Wood River
Funeral Services: Military funeral services were held at the Rindskoph Funeral Home in St. Louis.
Burial: Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis.
Henry L. Hardesty
Age: 24
Branch of Service: United States Army-Air Force Bomber
Rank: SSG
March 1, 1921 – May 17, 1945
Staff Sergeant Hardesty was an engineer on an Army Air Force bomber and died in Newfoundland on May 17 in an airplane crash. All crew members died instantly except SSgt Hardesty, who died two days later. He and his brother, Sgt Stanley Hardesty, entered service together in October 1941 and remained together until September 1944. They took basic training at Keesler, then went to Boston, Mass, Napier Field, GA, a school at Miami, Fl, back to Napier, and finally Columbus, Ohio. SSgt Hardesty was transferred in September to Egan Field, GA but his brother remained at Columbus until he was sent to Keesler a week before his brother was killed. A third brother, Sgt Robert Hardesty, who entered the Air Force in March 1942 was stationed at Chanute Field. Sgt Hardesty was born in Eldorado and moved to Wood River in 1936. He was inducted into the service a few months after graduating from EAWRCHS. In addition to his brothers, he had four sisters living in Wood River: Mary Ellen Johnson, Freida, Frances & Nadine Hardesty.
Parents: Mrs. J. R. Hardesty, 620 10th Street, Wood River. His father was a civil service employee at Pearl Harbor.
Spouse: Mabel Evans Hardesty
Wayne W. Hoeche
Age: 21
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: CPL
1923 – February 8, 1944
Cpl Hoeche was fatally injured in an airplane accident near Parkton, N. C. He was inducted into the Army Air Force in February of 1943. In December 1943 he completed a course in radio at the Army technical school, Sioux Falls, Idaho, and later was sent to North Carolina. He was born in O’Fallon and moved to Wood River as a child. He graduated from EAWRCHS in 1940 and was attending Illinois State University in Normal at the time of his enlistment.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. William Hoeche, 538 Tipton, Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Ensign Vernon W. Hoeche who was in the Pacific, Sister – Mrs. Fern Mabrey of Alton
Funeral Services: St. John’s Evangelical Church, Rev. O. F. Brummer officiating
Burial: Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville
Bernard Hudson
Age: 27
Branch of Service: United States Navy Air Corps
Rank: LTjg
November 10, 1917 – March 15, 1945
Lt Hudson was a Naval Fighter Pilot and died in a plane crash in Virginia. He returned to the States in November after 14 months of service in the Pacific. He was forming a new squadron on the East Coast preparing for further combat service. He had been in service for 35 months.
Parents: Gertrude & Elmer Hudson, 632 E. Lorena, Wood River
Spouse: Martha Biehl Hudson
Family Members: Younger brother Harold, born in 1922
Before entering service, he was employed here as an electrician. He graduated from EAWRCHS, where he was Captain of the 1935 football team. In 1936 he attended the University of Illinois for several years. While on leave in November, he married Miss Martha Biehl of Miami, Florida. His brother, Midshipman Harold Hudson, who was attending the dental school at Northwestern University Chicago campus was to fly to Atlantic City to obtain further information on the fatality. Lt Hudson’s father, Elmer Hudson, owned ILMO Electric in downtown Wood River.
The following is a timeline of his military service:
July 1942 Joined US Navy as an Aviation Cadet at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Underwent pilot training in Corpus Christie, Texas, and received his Commission as an Ensign and his Navy wings after six weeks.
Dec. 1942 Attended fighter training school in Miami, Florida.
Feb. 1943 Attended more flight training on F6F Hellcat in San Diego, California
Oct. 1943 Departed San Francisco on USS Sangamon for Pacific Theater of Operations as part of VF 37.
Participated in the following invasions:
Nov. 1943 Tarawa
Jan. 1944 Kwajalico
Feb. 1944 Eniwetok
Mar. 1944 Palau
Apr. 1944 Aitape
May 1944 Hollandia
June 1944 Saipan
July 1944 Guam
Sept. 1944 Morotai
Oct. 1944 Leyte Gulf where he was part of Task Force Taff 1 infamous Naval Battle of Leyte Gulf
Nov. 1944 Returned to San Francisco after 400 days at sea.
Nov. 1944 Returned to Wood River and married Martha Biehl of Miami, Florida.
Dec. 1944 Assigned to NAS Atlantic City, NJ as an instructor pilot training new pilots forming a new Squadron VF 150 to deploy back to the Pacific.
Mar. 1945 Killed in an aircraft training accident near Atlantic City at age 27.
Buried in Wood River, IL
Joseph Leindecker
Age: 19
Branch of Service: United States Navy Air Corps
Rank: S1C
Seaman Leindecker was reported missing on a routine training flight from the Naval Air School at Jacksonville, FL. He had been training as a radio operator. He received his boot camp training at Great Lakes and went from there to the naval station at Memphis before being transferred to Jacksonville. He is a graduate of EAWRCHS and was employed by a construction firm here between his graduation and his induction into the Navy on May 1, 1943
Parents: Mr. & Mrs.W. H. Leindecker, 643 Ferguson, Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Pvt. James Leindecker was in the Army-Air Force and also stationed in Florida, Sister – Miss Margaret Leindecker
Eugene F. Lyons
Age: 25
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PFC
DOD: February 25, 1945
PFC Eugene Lyons was Killed in Action in France on February 25, 1945. He had been overseas less than a month. He graduated from EAWRCHS in 1938 and prior to induction into the service he worked at Commonwealth Steel Company in Granite City. He was inducted into the Army in May of 1944 and received his basic training at Camp Hood, TX. Later he was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, where he was stationed at the time of his overseas assignment.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lyons, 460 Whitelaw
Spouse: Lottie Jenkins Lyons whom he married in 1942
Burial: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, MO
Albert M. McCracken
Age: 23
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
DOD: December 22, 1944
PVT Albert McCracken enlisted in the Army soon after his graduation from EAWRCHS. He received his basic training at Fort McClelland, AL. The last the family heard from him he was in Germany.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Albert B. McCracken, 50 West Penning, Wood River
Family Members: Brothers – Carl Rogers of Bethalto and Wilson Rogers of East Alton, Sister – Mrs. Edward Betts of Springfield
James E. Mellor
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: TSG
DOD: March 16, 1945
TSG James E. Mellor was a gunner on a bomber based in Italy and was Killed in Action over that nation on March 16, 1945. He entered service in August 1941 and received basic training at Shepherd Field, Texas. He was awarded his wings at Kingman, AZ, and went overseas in February 1943 with the Eighth Air Force where he was awarded the Air Medal and the Presidential Citation for missions over enemy territory. Later, he was transferred to Italy with the 15th Air Force. Mellor attended EAWRCHS before entering service. His parents received the Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously to their son. They have also received a citation of honor from Gen. H. H. Arnold.
Parents: Mr & Mrs. Victor Mellor of 62 Eckhard Avenue in Wood River
Family Members: Sisters – Mrs. Gladys Crews and Mrs. Marjorie Beck, Brother – Charles V. Mellor
Christy E. Pate
Age: 30
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: SSG
December 25, 1913 – September 22, 1944
Staff Sergeant Christy E. Pate was killed on the Italian front on September 24, 1944, according to a telegram from the War Department. Sgt Pate entered service in May 1942. He trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and later in California. He went overseas in December 1943 with the 332 Infantry Division in Italy. He was assigned to Gen. Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy and took part in much of the bitter fighting there. Sgt Pate was born in Indiana and came to Wood River 16 years prior with his parents who operated the Nu-Way Café on West Ferguson. He attended Wood River Grade School and graduated from EAWRCHS. Before entering the service, he was employed at Shell Oil as a pipefitter. On March 30, 1945, the Bronze Star was awarded to his father at his home. The Presentation was made by Capt. Donet C. Smith.
Parents: Cleveland and Bertha Pate, 475 State Aid Road, Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Burt R. Pate, U.S. Navy, who was on duty in the South Pacific Theater, Jack and Junior Pate, Sisters – Mrs. Ruby Browder and Alice Pate
Funeral Services: A military escort met the funeral cortege from Wood River at the city limits and escorted it to Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, where his parents are buried.
Coy R. Peebles
Branch of Service: United States Army
KIA
Lawrence T. Quertermous
Age: 21
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank; PFC
March 27, 1924 – October 16, 1945
PFC Quertermous served with the Infantry in Holland and was Killed in Action there. Official War Department notification of his death was received by his mother, Mrs. Hezzie Harris. He was born in Kentucky and moved to Wood River with his mother following the death of his father, Roy Quertermous. At the time of his induction, he was living at 23 West Lorena with his stepfather and mother.
He attended the Wood River Grade Schools and EAWRCHS. He was employed at International Shoe Co. at the time he entered service in March 1943. After training at Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Meade, MD, he was sent overseas in April 1944 in the 119th Infantry Regiment of the Seventh Army. In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister, Louise Quertermous of Providence, Ky, and a half-brother, Hugh Major of Wood River.
The posthumous award of the Purple Heart was awarded to PFC L. T. Quertermous, 20 who was Killed in Action in West Germany, on October 16, 1945. The medal was received by his mother. With the medal was a letter from Gen. George Marshall, which stated his grave was in Belgium.
Helen C. Seni
Branch of Service: United States Army Nurse
Rank: 1LT
DOD: January 20, 1947
1st Lt Helen Seni died on January 20, 1947, in an Army hospital in Munich, Germany.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. John Seni, Sr., 434 Korreck, Wood River
Her body was taken to Streeper Funeral Home in Wood River. Funeral services were conducted at St. Bernard’s Church, Wood River. Burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alton. Lt Seni was the only woman from the Alton area to die in service.
Joseph B. Seni
Branch of Service: United States Coast Guard
Rank: COX
DOD: January 20, 1943
Coxswain Seni was lost from his ship in the performance of duty. The exact location of the mishap was not known. Wood River Police were notified in May 1943 by New York authorities that his body was recovered. Seni enlisted in the Coast Guard, on March 16, 1942. A sister Helen, formerly a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, was a member of the WAVES.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. John Seni, Sr., 434 Korreck, Wood River
Funeral services were conducted at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Wood River, with Father E. J. Douglas officiating.
Raymond M. Sexton
Branch of Service: United States Army/Air Force
Rank: FLO
DOD: October 23, 1944
Flight Officer Sexton was in the 304th Squadron, 30th Transport Group. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Air Medal
Burial: Honolulu, HI, Plot B, Grave 803
Service # T060173
Stephen Skundrich
Age: 34
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
August 25, 1908 – May 25, 1943
Pvt Skundrich received a medical discharge on May 12, 1943, after a year in the South Pacific, and died on May 25 at the Sanatorium in Edwardsville. A native of Wood River, Private Skundrich attended the parochial grade school and graduated from EAWRCHS in 1936. He entered service in April 1942. After completing his basic training, he was sent to the South Pacific.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Michael Skundrich, 67 E. Lorena Avenue, Wood River. He was one of eleven children
Surviving in addition to his parents were six brothers: Michael, Jr., John, Nickolas, Joseph, Frank, George, and four sisters: Mary, Frances, Catherine, and Evelyn.
Funeral rites were conducted at St. Bernard’s Church. The Rev. Father E. J. Douglas was a celebrant of the requiem Mass. Burial was at the Calvary Cemetery near Edwardsville with a military service conducted by the Wood River American Legion directed by Post Commander Fred Penning.
Eugene B. Steffen
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
December 22, 1925 – March 39, 1945
Pvt Steffen entered service in July 1944 and was sent to New Guinea in December 1944. He had been in the Philippines for two months when he was Killed in Action on March 29 on Cebu Island in the Philippines. He graduated from Roxana High School in 1944 and was employed at Western Cartridge until he entered service.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Bert Steffen, 709 South Ninth Street, Wood River, IL
Family Members: In addition to his parents, he is survived by four brothers: M/Sgt. E. B. Steffen, Gerald, Walter & Warren at home, and four sisters, Mrs. Ray Fraser, Mrs. Venita Evans, Mrs. Fred Graham, and Virginia at home.
Funeral Services: Marks Mortuary
Burial: Woodland Cemetery
George A. Sutton
Age: 36
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
Private Sutton was sent overseas in September and was assigned to an Armour Division. He was declared Missing in Action on November 30. Prior to entering service in January, he had been employed at Shell Oil Co.
Spouse: Minnie Sutton, daughter of Joe Sheppard, 301 3rd Street, Wood River
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Walter Sutton of Franklin, Indiana.
William H. Tharp
Age: 18
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
April 18, 1926 – January 7, 1944
Pvt Tharp died from wounds received in action in January 1944 in Belgium. Before entering service, Tharp had been employed at Parker Market in East Alton. He was an Alton resident before moving to Wood River 5 months before entering service. He received basic training at Camp Hood, TX, and advanced training at Camp Chaffer, AK.
Parents: Mrs. Effie Tharp, 462 South Main Street, Wood River
Family Members: Two half brothers: Cpl Donald Rice of the Air Force and Richard Rice of Chicago. He also leaves two brothers, Jack and Charles Tharp of Wood River, and five sisters: Shirley, Anita, Nancy, Charlotte, and Frances Tharp.
Joseph B. Toth
Age: 31
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: 1LT
November 25, 1913 – November 24, 1944
1st Lt Toth was Killed in Action in France on November 24, 1944. Official notice from the Third Infantry Division Chaplain stated that he was killed instantly on the battlefield when an enemy rifle bullet struck him in the chest. He was leading his platoon in an attack at the time. The letter states that he was buried in a beautifully located cemetery in France and his Chaplain conducted the services. His body was returned to the USA on April 20, 1948, and taken to Streeper Funeral Home. Services were held at St. Bernard’s Church in Wood River. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Edwardsville. 1st Lt Toth was inducted in January 1941 and received his basic training at Fort Ord, California. He was sent to Dutch Harbor, Alaska where he was stationed for about a year. He was sent back to the States for officer’s training school at Fort Benning, GA., and graduated in August 1942 as a First Lieutenant. He graduated from St. Bernard’s School and Marquette High School
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Toth, 111 E. Penning, Wood River
Family Members: Sisters – T-4 Mary Toth, WAC, and Elizabeth Toth, Brother – Stephen Toth
Richard W. Vernor
Age: 20
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: TSgt
DOD: September 22, 1944
TSGT Vernon was reported missing in action from a flight over Germany on September 17, 1944. Information that he had died came from the German government via the Red Cross. TSgt Vernon graduated from EAWRCHS and was employed at Standard Oil before entering service at Scott Field on March 27, 1942. He took his primary training at Miami Beach, FL, and later trained at Keesler Field, MISS, and Laredo, Texas. He went overseas in June 1944 and served as the first engineer and gunner of a B-24 Liberator when his plane was shot down on a raid over the rail center of Kessel, Germany. The Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded posthumously and presented to his mother with family members present and also Betty Holpher, fiancée of Sgt.Vernon on April 27, 1945. The award was for meritorious achievement in accomplishing, with distinction, several aerial operation missions over occupied continental Europe. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by the individual in face of dangerous opposition materially aided the successful completion of these missions, and his action reflected great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the U.S., according to a written government testimony which Major Wyeth presented. He was previously awarded the Purple Heart.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Vernor, 806 Lorena Avenue, Wood River
Bryson West
Age: 20
Branch of Service: United States Army-Air Force
Rank: SGT
April 23, 1922 – July 1, 1942
Sgt West was killed in action in Australia on July 1, 1942, at the age of 20. The report of his death contained no details but merely cited him as Killed in Action. Corps, 19th Bomb Group, 93rd Squadron as a tail gunner. He enlisted in the Texas National Guard and was assigned to the 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, Battery E. While stationed in Java, he transferred to the Army Air Force as a B-17 West. He enlisted in the Army at Jefferson Barracks at the age of 18 and was sent to Brownswood, Texas where he later was sent to Java.
Parents: Mrs. Myrtle West of Wood River.
Family Members: Sisters – Mrs. Rena Mayes, Mrs. Jewell Ghose, and Mrs. Ruby Mason, Brother – Mason West.
He is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California
Richard G. Wright
Branch of Service: United States Navy
Rank: S1C
DOD: November 20, 1943
S1C Wright was the first Pearl Harbor victim. It is not known what ship young Wright was stationed on. S1C Wright made his home in Wood River until he joined the Navy in 1940. He attended Wood River schools. He had earned a Purple Heart.
Parents: Mrs. Arthur Edsall of Wood River
Cemetery: Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Raymond E. Young
Age: 23
Branch of Service: United States Army
DOD: November 28, 1944
SSG Raymond Young was involved in an airplane crash on November 28, 1944. He was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps and had been in the Army since the summer of 1942. Prior to entering service, he had been employed at the Tri-City Grocery. He had been overseas for nearly two years spending most of his time in Australia before being transferred to New Guinea about two months before his death.
Parents: Mrs. Lillie Young, 960 Acton, Wood River
Korean War
John W. Bethards
Age: 25
Branch of Service: United States Marines
Rank: SGT
DOD: September 25, 1951
Sgt Bethards was sent to Korea in September of 1950, and as a member of Headquarters Company, First Amphibious Tractor Battalion of the First Marine Division participated in the Inchon Landing. Sgt Bethards became seriously ill and entered U.S. Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, where he died. Sgt Bethards, a native of Wood River, graduated from EAWRCHS in 1944. He was employed by Standard Oil following graduation until he entered the Merchant Marine in November of 1944. In 1946, he returned to Wood River and resumed work at the oil refinery until 1947 when he joined the Third Infantry Battalion, U. S. Marine Corps. His unit was activated in July of 1950
Parents: Father – Ohmer S. Bethards of Wood River and mother – Mrs. Ethel Webb of St. Louis
Family Members: Brothers – Capt. Leonard Bethards and Leo Bethards, Sister – Mrs. Virginia Dunbar
Funeral Services: Visitation was held at Streeper Funeral Home and services were conducted at the First Baptist Church in Wood River by Rev. Earl J. White.
Burial: Fairlawn Cemetery in Vandalia, IL.
Francis E. Callahan
Age: 23
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: SGT
June 12, 1928 – January 30, 1952
Sgt Callahan was a member of the 160th Infantry Regiment of the 40th Infantry Division. He died of wounds in the Battle Zone of Kumhwa on January 30, 1952. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea and died of those wounds later that day. Sgt Callahan graduated from EAWRCHS in 1947 and was employed at Owens-Illinois Glass until he was inducted into the Army on October 19, 1950 He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. M. E. Callahan, 743 Madison, Wood River, IL
Spouse: Bernardine Volner Callahan
Family Members: Brother – Maurice, Commander of S. S. Doyle, Sisters – Mary & Patricia
Service # US55028721
James A. Cawthon
Age: 23
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PFC
1928 – June 11, 1951
PFC Cawthon was a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on June 11, 1951. He graduated from EAWRCHS in 1947 and was employed by Owens-Illinois Glass before entering the Army on November 30, 1950.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Richard Henry of Wood River
Family Members: Grandparents – Mr. & Mrs. James Cantrill, Aunts – Dorothy Brave and Margaret Skundrich
Funeral Services: 1st Methodist Church in Wood River
Burial: Woodland Hill Cemetery, Wood River, IL
Service # US55059215
Robert F. LaCout
Age: 20
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PVT
1930 – October 9, 1950
Pvt Lacout was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea (Taegu Area) on September 18, 1950, and died of those wounds on October 9, 1950. He entered service in September 1947 at the age of 17. He spent 26 months overseas in Seoul, Korea. He was a machine gun bearer with the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division and had been in action from August 27, until wounded on Sept. 18.
Parents: Alex and Glenna Lacout, 408 S. Main, Wood River
Family Members: Sisters – Mrs. Celina Snider of East Alton and Mrs. Marie Zak of Wood River
Funeral Services: Military services were conducted by VFW Post #2859 at the Streeper Funeral Home in Wood River.
Burial: Woodland Hill Cemetery, Wood River, IL
Service #RA16272526
Robert R. Mayford
Age: 27
Branch of Service: United States Air Force
Rank: LT
1925 – April 8, 1952
LT Mayford was a fighter pilot who was killed on April 8, 1952, during a mass parachute operation at Ft. Hood, TX.
Funeral Services: American Legionnaires of Post #204 conducted full military rights. The Rev. George Eickelman officiated at St. Gabriels Episcopal Chapel. Interment was in Upper Alton Cemetery. Color Guards included Frank Panyik, Bert Panyik, Kenneth Fulkerson, and Dick Bell. Members of the firing squad were Russell Gibson, Bob Wegman, Ray Esterline, Dick Stahlcup, Emmett Jones, Lloyd Dildine, and Al Smith.
Chaplain: Joseph Barr
Service # RA16272626
Tony A. Neeley
Age: 26
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: SGT
1925 – November 13, 1951
Sgt Tony Neeley was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on November 13, 1951. He had been in the service for nearly seven years. He served for 23 months in South Pacific during World War II and had been in Korea since August of 1950.
Parents: Wilma and Tony Neeley, Sr.
Spouse: Mrs. Rosemary Neeley, 106 South Main, Wood River
Children: Mary Ann – Age 3, Kathleen – 15 months whom he had never seen. She was born 22 days after he left the States for Korea.
Family Members: Sisters – Mrs. Earl McNear of Alton and Mrs. William Cook of Chicago
Funeral Services: Held at Marks Mortuary with Rev. C. A. Waggoner of the Pentecostal Church officiating. Military rights were conducted by the Wood River American Legion Post #204
Service # RA36697001
Richard T. Schum
Age: 20
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: CPL
January 1, 1932 – August 8, 1952
Cpl Schum was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea (Kumhwa) on August 8, 1952. He was in the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and was scheduled to return home the day he was killed. He graduated from EAWRCHS in 1950 and played right guard on the high school football team and broke his leg twice. After graduation, he attended Millikin University for one semester before enlisting in the Army on Feb. 1, 1951. He became a paratrooper which was his dream, but injured his leg on a jump and was transferred to the Anti-Tank Platoon.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. C. I. Schum
Family Members: Brother – James Schum, Sister – Geri Vollentine, who was married to former Police Chief J. C. Vollentine.
Funeral Services: 1st Baptist Church, Rev. Earl White officiating. Lloyd Dildine was Chaplain and Joseph Barr, Commander. Visitation was at Marks Mortuary.
Burial: Mayfield Memorial Cemetery, Carlinville, IL
Service #RA17307018
Vietnam War
Richard C. Bennett
Age: 19
Branch of Service: United States Marines
Rank: LCPL
August 1, 1948 – August 10, 1967
LCPL Bennett was Killed in Action near Thua Thien, South Vietnam by enemy explosion fragments on August 10, 1967. He entered the Marines on September 1, 1966, and was sent overseas on March 9, 1967. Richard graduated from EAWRCHS in 1966 and was on the school gymnastic team.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Edwin W. Bennett, 172 Penning, Wood River, IL
Family Members: Brother – Edwin (Skip) Bennett, Sister – Pat Bennett Haynes
Burial: Woodland Hills Cemetery in Wood River
Terry L. Dallape
Age: 21
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: SP4
May 1, 1948 – July 30, 1969
SP4 Dallape was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Vietnam on July 30, 1969. He graduated from Roxana High School in 1966 and was drafted by the U S. Army on March 1, 1967.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Levo Dallape, #1 Mimosa,Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Joseph Dallape
Funeral Services: St. Kevin’s Catholic Church, with visitation at Marks Mortuary
David L. Hampton
Age: 18
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: PFC
May 28, 1949 – March 13, 1968
PFC Hampton was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Vietnam. His convoy was hit by fire from an enemy ambush. He was a machine gunner with the 39th Combat Engineers. Hampton attended the Alton Schools and lived in Carrollwood Subdivision prior to entering the service. He entered the service on July 19, 1966, and received his basic training and engineering school at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He was sent to Vietnam on July 30, 1966.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Hampton of Godfrey, IL, who is a retired Army Sergeant
Family Members: Sister – Audrey Sue Hampton, Stepsister – Demetra Hampton, Stepbrothers – Audris Hampton and Lyndell Hays
Funeral Services: Gubser Funeral Home
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, IL
Charles W. Moody
Age: 37
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: SSG
September 11, 1930 – April 6, 1968
Staff Sgt Moody died instantly in a hostile ground battle in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam.
Family Members: Son – Jeff Moody
Service # 17306444
James S. Stassi
Age: 19
Branch of Service: United States Marines
Rank: PFC
August 1, 1947 – June 27, 1967
PFC Stassi was killed when a land mine was detonated extremely close to him, killing him instantly, in Quang Nam Battle Zone.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stassi of Wood River
Family Members: Brother – Joseph, Sisters – Gloria & Madelyn
Funeral Services: St. Bernard’s Catholic Church
Burial: Woodland Hills Cemetery
Chris A. Totora
Age: 19
Branch of Service: United States Marines E-3
Rank: LCPL
October 7, 1948 – October 25, 1967
LCPL Totora was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Vietnam on October 25, 1967, in Quang Nam.
Parents: Anthony Totora
Family Members: Sister – Mary Agnes
Funeral Service: St. Bernard’s Catholic Church
Burial: Woodland Hills Cemetery
Related Pages
THE CITY OF WOOD RIVER
111 NORTH WOOD RIVER AVE.
WOOD RIVER ILLINOIS, 62095
THE CITY OF WOOD RIVER
111 NORTH WOOD RIVER AVE.
WOOD RIVER ILLINOIS, 62095