Soldier Letters From Luxembourg 1945 Message to Mother
A 9 February 1945 letter from 1st Sgt. Henry W. Brumfield in Luxembourg describes feeling well and longing for Patoka Illinois. He recounts witnessing wartime atrocities, compares ruined highways, and expresses willingness to work hard back home for freedom. He notes his unit details and asks his mother to pass greetings to family.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Luxembourg
Old Patoka
Ilinois
Patoka
Highway 51
Red Ball
Illinois
U.S.A
Register Office
Pike
Wayne
Friendship Class Meeting at Stringer Home
The friendship class met at Virginia and Nell Stringer home. They played games sang songs and refreshments were served by hosts Nell and Virginia Stringer. Prizes were awarded to Lexie Barnes and Irene Moore.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Nell Stringer
Lexie Barnes
Irene Moore
Nell
Virginia Stringer
SGT HOWARD C BRYANT RECEIVES BRONZE STAR
Technical Sergeant Howard C Bryant son of Mr and Mrs Chester Bryant Patoka was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in maintaining a P 438 Lightning in direct support of combat operations in the ETO He trained in the United States and served with the group commanded by Col Clinton C Wasem Dover Ohio in England France and Belgium
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ninth Air Force
Belgium
Eto
Howard C. Bryant
Chester Bryant
Patoka
Bryant
United States
Clinton C. Wasem
Dover
Ohio
England
France
Letter from Major General Quesada to Mrs Bryant
A personal letter dated 1 February 1945 from Major General E R Quesada at IX Tactical Air Command HQ informs Mrs Mabel Bryant that her son Howard received the Bronze Star Medal Ribbon for meritorious service in enemy operations. The general praises Howard’s duty, responsibility, and character.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mable Bryant
E. R. Quesada
APO
Care
New York
Mabel Bryant
Patoka
Bryant
Howard
Army Air Forces
State staff visit to Marion County schools
Five members of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction office led by Vernon L. Nickell visited seven Marion County elementary schools in Centralia Salem Odin Sandoval Alma Kinmundy and Patoka. They met with teachers and offered compliments plus suggestions for improvements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Vernon L. Nickell
Springfield
Marion County
Elsa Schneider
Ray O. Duncan
Frank Oneal
M. M. Cruft
Otis Keeler
Paul B. Chance
Centralia
Salem
Odin
Sandoval
Alma
Kinmundy
Patoka
Paul Logan Birthday Celebration Report
Mrs. James Ballance and Mrs. Robert Eagan hosted a surprise birthday party Saturday evening at the former’s home honoring Paul Logan. Prizes went to Paul Logan Davis Jennings and Alta Logan with refreshments served to Davis Jennings Marcus Cox and Paul Logan and others.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Ballance
Robert Eagan
Paul Logan
Davis Jennings
Alta Logan
Marcus Cox
Spurgeon Couple To Visit Detroit With Son Billie
Mr and Mrs S M Spurgeon plan a Monday trip to Detroit Michigan to visit Mrs William M Spurgeon and their son Billie.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
S. M. Spurgeon
William M. Spurgeon
Billie
Detroit
Michigan
Bastogne Civil Affairs Team Rehabilitates War Torn City
Pvt. Robert Wasem of Patoka Illinois serves in a civil affairs detachment aiding Bastogne Belgium with clothing food and medical supplies. The unit led by Lt. Sherman Hoyt reports widespread destruction with 40 percent of buildings damaged and a civilian population reduced to about 1500. A German civilian wounded by a misfired grenade survived six hours after ambulance transfer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bastogne
Sherman Hoyt
Cooperstown
N. Y
Levse
New Baby for Lammond Family in Arlington
Mr and Mrs Donald Lammond Jr of Arlington Virginia announce the arrival of a baby boy on February 23 named Donald Douglas Lam mond III Mrs Lammond was formerly Miss Martha Matchett of Patoka Mrs J Matchett left last week for Virginia to visit her daughter and family
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Donald Lammond Jr
Arlington
Virginia
Donald Douglas Lammond III
Lammond
Martha Matchett
Patoka
J. Matchett
Methodist Church Service and Youth District Meeting
Sunday School led by George J Wasem with superintendent 8 S. Supt. Morning worship by Pastor M. W. Friesner. Evening service at 7 30. Island Chapel. Monday 7 30 p.m. Youth sub district group meeting at Vandalia. Thursday 7 30 p.m. prayer service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. W. Friesner
George J .Wasem
Wee Wate Attic Hale Ee
Island Chapel
Vandalia
James Frederick Meyer Dies at 67 in Patoka
James Frederick Meyer died suddenly February 28 at his home southeast of Patoka aged 67 years 11 months and 26 days. Funeral services are set for Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Christian Church in Patoka with Bro. Robert Graham officiating. Interment will follow in Patoka cemetery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Frederick Meyer
Patoka
Christian Church
Bro
Robert Graham
Library Notes From The Town Librarian
The librarian Mrs. Elsie Gray reports a rise in outgoing books with a catalog of over 2100 titles. A new book Life With Father by Clarence Day arrived with a letter from Mrs. Ollie Farmer of Mercedes Texas promising more books. the library accepts new readers and issues a card. Open Fridays and Saturdays afternoons only.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elsie Gray
Aecard
Father
Clarence Day
Ollie Farmer
Mercedes
Texas
Denver
Stamos Receives Silver Star for WW II Action near Bourheim
Pfc William C Stamos Jr a 19 year old truck driver in an infantry regiment earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action near Bourheim Germany. He volunteered to establish new wire communications and maintained links under heavy shell fire until the counterattack was repulsed. A St Louis Post Dispatch item notes the recognition and lists family connections in Patoka and St Louis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Western Front
William C. Stamos Jr
Bourheim
Germany
Frank Brokelmeyer
St. Louis
Pfc
Emma _ Brokelmeyer
William Brokelmeyer
Patoka
Frank Elefritz, Sr
Edmondson Announces Baby Son Arrival at St Marys
Mr and Mrs Claude Edmundson announce the arrival of a baby son on Tuesday February 27 at St Marys hospital in Centralia. Mr and Mrs Horace Tompkins of Pittsburg Illinois spent Friday with Mrs Edna Tune and sons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Claude Edmundson
St. Mary's Hospital
Centralia
Horace Tompkins
Pittsburg, Ill
Edna Tune and Sons
Archie Hopkins
Edna Tune
Connie Meador
Bobbie Jennings
Carl Meador
Denver Adams
Mrs
Charles Adams
Red Cross Drive Opens in Patoka March First
The 1945 Red Cross drive begins March first with the county quota unchanged at Patoka’s $2000. Mrs. Donna Jennings urges every resident to donate at least last year’s amount, with solicitors listed including L. E. Green and others across town. The aim is a red Cross window display in every home by month end to support those in need.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marion County
Patoka
Donna Jennings
L. E. Green
Rose Mojonnier
Bertha Miller
L. W. Ballance
Thelma Riley
Betty Eppreson
Maude Irwin
Cecil Brown
Audrey Kissner
Lady Hopkins
Velma Keister
Maude Malan
Red Cross
A Revived Spirit Amid War’s Heavy Toll
The piece reflects on wartime sacrifice and renewed national resolve as March 1 looms. It calls for humility, faith, and a sober, earnest life while honoring fallen soldiers and striving for liberty and justice through renewed courage and unity. Mrs. W. W. Romack visited Tuesday with Mrs. Charles Adams.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Valley Forge
Berlin
Tokyo
W. W. Romack
Charles Adams
Local residents share news of military leaves and community events
Local notes report Navy service updates from San Francisco and Great Lakes, leave trips by families in Centralia and Patoka, and social visits. March 17 St Patrick's Carnival details recur with plans in Vandalia and Alma, plus church and basketball outings.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sgt
Henry Brumfield
Henry W. Brumfield
Service Co
17Th Air Borne Division
Stringer
Lexe Barnes
Aom Wiarmon
Forest
Evashevski
U.S
IX Tactical Air Command
Marion County Schools
Wasem
Tribune
Armand Wasem
Chicago Tribune
Library Notes
W. C. Stamos, JR
Rodney Ricker
Larry
San Francisco
Calif
States
Navy
South Pacific
Cleo Walker
James Wasem
Max Foltz S 2E
Great Lakes
Charles Foltz
Max
the Gym
Eldon Wickersham
Dan Wickersham
Nellie Bryant
F. E. Adams
T. E. Irvin
George Hanna
8. M. Spurgeon
Hanna
Paul Spurgeon
de Paul University
Rufus Stephens
Vera Mae Stephens
Elaine Wickersham
Farina
Mrs. Kennedy Simcox
Chicago
Miss Bettie Simecox
Mrs. Clark Simcox
William Ehrat
Shobonier
Ruth Smith
W. W. Murfin
Harold Bonney
Hoisington
Kansas
E. L. DeLay
Mark and
Dorothy
Milon Peddicord
Norfolk
John A. Jennings
Robert Jennings
Bobbie and
William A. Miller
Bessie Murfin
Ida Smith
Dale Nattier
Sarah Jane
Janet
Sue Ann
John Evans
William Newman
St. Patrick's Carnival
Marvin Bassett
Vera Mie’ Stephens
Mim
James’ Batlahee
Mie Rowert
Magen
Sineay
Virginia McNicol and Son
Harold Atchison
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!