60 years ago
AUGUST 3, 1944
Pfc. Deatrick Rempel, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Deatrick Rempel who live on a farm seven miles south of Marion, is our latest war casualty. A telegram from the War Department received Wednesday stated that Pfc. Rempel was killed in action in Italy in July.
Miss Sadie Keller had the misfortune to fall while attempting to close her garage door Tuesday night and beside being quite shaken up, she broke her right wrist and sprained her left one. This accident necessitates her absence from the post office and her presence there is missed.
Pvt. William F. Ford, 29, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clee Ford, is missing in action since June 27, according to a telegram received by his wife Saturday. His parents received a letter from him dated June 11 saying he was still in England. A letter to his wife in Wichita a week or so later was written from France. No further word was received prior to Saturday telegram from the War Department.
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Reh and small daughters expect to move to Wichita August 18. Mr. Reh has sold his trucking business to Ted Haefner of Lincolnville and has accepted the civil service position of air express dispatcher.
T5 Carl W. Bechthold, brother of Mrs. Frank Giesbrecht and Mrs. Henry Giesbrecht of Marion, was seriously wounded in action in France June 28, according to a telegram to his mother, Mrs. Marie Bechthold of Hillsboro on June 29. The telegram stated he is making good progress but is still weak.
Ed Coffin, a familiar figure on Marion streets as he trundled his covered wheel barrow to town in the early hours and home again at night, passed away early Friday after an illness of only a few hours. Obliging and frugal, industrious and kind, he has been a familiar figure on the streets of Marion for many years. Almost every business house in town, has, at some time or another, employed him as janitor.
