COLLETT, Elmer A. Jr. 1942 - 1961

COLLETT, HANEY, HOAGE, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:27

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Friday, April 14, 1961
Front Page, Column 1

Local Soldier Loses Life In Gun Accident

A Fairfield soldier serving with the U. S. Armed Forces overseas died yesterday of accidental gun shot wounds at Kaiserslautern, Germany.

He is Elmer A. COLLETT, Jr., 18, son of Hiawana HANEY, 606 E. Adams street, Fairfield, and Elmer A. COLLETT, Sr., who resides in Ottumwa.

Word received by his mother stated that COLLETT, a member of the Military Police, had just been relieved of duty on April 12, and while cleaning his pistol it accidentaly (sic) fired, fatally wounding him.

Mrs. HANEY received a telegram from the War Department in Washington D.C. on April 12, stating that her son had been critically wounded and that recovery was not expected. Yesterday, April 13, she received a second telegram stating that her son had died from the wounds.

Mrs. HANEY said her son's body is being returned to Fairfield for last rites and burial. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Born In 1942

Elmer A. COLLETT, Jr., was born the son of Elmer A. COLLETT and Hiawana HOAGE HANEY. The family moved to Alameda, Calif., where the son attended the lower grades, after which they returned to Fairfield.

He attended the upper grades and the first year of high school at Fairfield. He joined the armed forces in 1959 and had been stationed in Texas and Maryland before going overseas about a year ago.

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"The Fairfield Ia. Ledger"
Saturday, April 22, 1961
Page 8, Column 2

Military Rites For COLLETT, 18

Military rites will be conducted at the grave Monday for Elmer A. COLLETT, Jr., Fairfield soldier who was fatally wounded by accidental gunshot in Germany on April 12.

His body is scheduled to arrive in Fairfield Sunday afternoon and will be taken to the Raymond funeral home.

Last rites will be held at the Raymond funeral home Monday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. D. O. Van Dyne officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery where the military rites will be held.

COLLETT was critically wounded by his own pistol. He had just been relieved of guard duty and was cleaning the weapon when it accidently (sic) fired. He was serving with the U. S. Military Police in Germany at the time of his death.

Elmer A. COLLETT, Jr., 18, was born Oct. 1, 1942, at Ottumwa, the son of Elmer and Hiawana HOAGE COLLETT. He was reared and educated in Fairfield before joining the armed forces.

COLLETT is survived by his mother, Mrs. Hiawana HANEY, Fairfield; his father, Elmer, COLLETT, Sr., Ottumwa; a sister, Madelyn COLLETT, Fairfield; and the following grandparents, Mrs. Hazel HOAGE, Fairfield; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver COLLETT, Ottumwa; and a great grandmother, Mrs. Maggie WILLIAMS, Fairfield.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Henry HOAGE, who died in December, 1960.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.150.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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