S-Sgt. Lester E. Schnabel 1917-1945

SCHNABEL, CONRAD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 2/13/2017 at 16:19:49

7 June 1945 - The Clarence Sun

Lester E. Schnabel, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schnabel, was born east of Clarence on Sept. 24, 1917, and was baptized in early infancy in St. John's church. His entire lifetime, until he was called into the service of his country in 1942, was spent in the Clarence community.

He received Christian instruction under the Rev. Mr. Karl Fauth in Confirmation School and with the class of 1932, became a member of St. John's church, being active first in Young People's League work and later in the Churchman's Brotherhood, of which organization he was a member at the time of his departure from this life.

He received his education in the rural school and later attended Clarence high school where he graduated with the class of 1935.

He was engaged in farming with his father, northeast of Clarence, at the time he was called to serve his country, left for induction on July 6, 1942, and was destined not to return.

He served with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment and saw active duty in Africa, Sicily, participated in the invasion of France, Belgium and Germany.

On April 16th the sad message was delivered to the parental home, stating that on April 4th, S-Sgt. Lester Schnabel had made the supreme sacrifice in Central Germany during an attack. Military funeral services were conducted by a Protestant Chaplain and burial took place in a U. S. Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland.

Lester leaves to mourn his untimely departure: His grief stricken parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schnabel; his sister, Dorothy, and a brother-in-law Lawrence Conrad; a niece and nephew, Janice and Allan Conrad; a number of uncles, aunts and cousins and a wide circle of friends.

His popularity and friendship were shown by the fact that over 600 people attended a Memorial Service in his honor in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church at Clarence on Sunday afternoon, June 3, 1945.