Marcellus Rourke

ROURKE, VOGT, STANNERSON

Posted By: Cheryl Frees Westfall (email)
Date: 1/16/2006 at 00:46:52

Iowa City Press Citizen
November 8, 1948

Funeral Services for Pfc. M. F. Rourke

OXFORD - The funeral mass for Pfc. Marcellus F. Rourke, the first Oxford resident to be killed in action in World War II, was held in St. Mary's church, Friday morning. The Frank Vercherka post of the American Legion was in charge of the military services at both the church and the cemetery.

Pallbearers were first cousins, all servicemen, and included Max Stannerson of Conroy, Clifford Vogt of Homestead, Eldon Vogt of Marengo, Dick Rourke of Oxford, Clem Rourke of Cedar Falls and John Rourke of Oxford.

Private Rourke was born May 1, 1918, on a farm near Oxford, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Rourke. He attended a rural school and graduated from Oxford high school with the class of 1936.

He entered the service in 1940 and was sent overseas February 2, 1943. At the time of his death in Germany, November 17, 1944, he was serving with the 67th armored regiment of the 2nd armored division, and had previously seen action in England, Africa, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland. Temporary burial was in a cemetery at Margrotten, Holland.

Survivors include his parents and three brothers, his twin, Marcus, Russell of Iowa City and James of Oxford