VANNATTA, Paul L 1918 - 1945

VANNATTA, KELLER, SANDERS, AIN, PADKIN, PORTER

Posted By: Richard K. Thompson (email)
Date: 6/30/2012 at 17:44:30

Fairfield Daily Ledger
Tuesday Dec. 28, 1948
Pg. 1 Col. 5

BODY OF WAR VET ARRIVES AT U.S. PORT

The body of Pfc. Paul VANNATTA (sic. Paul L. VANNATTA) has been returned to the United States aboard the Army Transport, Barney Kirschbaum, and will be brought to Fairfield for final burial.

He was the son of Mrs. Charles KELLER, 400 S. Sixth street, and lost his life June 4, 1945, in an accident near Cologne, Germany.

The accident occured (sic.) on the Frechen Duran road where Pfc. VANNATTA fell from the rear of a truck which was traveling over a bomb-torn road. He suffered a severe head injury which proved fatal within a few hours.

He was given a military funeral at Ittenbach, Germany, on June 6, according to word received here by his mother shortly after his death.

Pfc. Paul VANNATTA was born in Fairfield and graduated from the Fairfield high school. Shortly after his graduation he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he made his home until he was called into service in January, 1944.

He was united in marriage September 1, 1940 to Mary KARAGACIN. Before his entering the armed forces he was employed at the Scullin Steel Company at St. Louis.

Pfc. VANNATTA sailed for England in November, 1944, and went to Germany the following month. He was serving with the 283rd Army Engineers when he lost his life.

He is survived by a seven year old daughter, Patricia, St. Louis; his mother, Mrs. Charles KELLER, Fairfield; and the following brothers and sisters: J.R. VANNATTA, Mrs. Richard AIN, Marjorie and Marcia Lou VANNATTA, all of Fairfield; Eugene VANNATTA, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Juanita PADKIN, St. Louis; and Mrs. Doris PORTER, also of St. Louis.

* Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Paul L. VANNATTA was born in 1918 and died on June 4, 1945. He was the son of John Frederick VANNATTA and Lula SANDERS VANNATTA. The father died in 1927, and Lula remarried to Charles KELLER in 1936. Paul L. VANNATTA was returned to Fairfield for burial in Evergreen cemetery, 3rd.033. The burial took place on January 15, 1949.