Frank A Pike, Jr

PIKE, BUCKLEY

Posted By: Char Hixon (email)
Date: 3/15/2012 at 14:45:15

FRANK PIKE, JR.

HOLD FUNERALS FOR WORLD WAR I HEROES
Bodies of Rex Willey and Frank Pike Returned from France
American Legion March in Uniform
Sunday Afternoon in Brookings Was Given Over to Honor Their Heroic Sacrifice

A serious reminder of the awful sacrifices of the World War was brought home to Brookings people Sunday when two military funerals took place over the remains of two soldiers who gave up their lives in France, whose bodies were returned to the United States for burial. The first was for Rex Willey, husband of Mrs. Eva O. Pease Willey of this city, and the second was for Frank Pike of Aurora. The Orr Hoffman Post of the American Legion of Brookings was in charge of both funerals and the members in full uniform marched as military escort of the two funeral processions.

Although nearly three years has elapsed since the war claimed the lives of these two young men, the flag draped caskets with their military escorts in uniform and the marching ranks of the American Legion brought back vividly the many sacrifices of those tragic days when our American boys were daily offering up their lives on the altar of patriotism by the hundreds.

The funeral services for Frank Pike were held in the Methodist church at Aurora. The Rev. R. C. Keagy delivered a fine funeral address and then accompanied by one of the longest funeral processions ever seen in the county, the body was taken to Brookings for burial in Greenwood cemetery. The American Legion met the procession on Sixth Street and marched at the head to the end of Main Street. They were taken in automobiles from there to the cemetery for the final ceremonies. The services at the grave were simple but impressive. Following the reading of the ritual by Rev. Keagy, the Legion firing squad fired a salute of three rounds and the bugler blew taps.

Frank A. Pike was born February 14, 1892, at Muscatine County, Iowa. He attended school at Nichols, Iowa, finishing his education at the Business College at Iowa City. He moved to Wisconsin with his parents, later to aurora, South Dakota, where he was engaged in the hardware business with his father. He was united in marriage with Mabel Buckley of Aurora on June 23, 1918.

He enlisted on June 27, 1918, at Brookings, South Dakota, and went to Camp Funston and was placed into the 352nd Machine Gun Company, 88th Division. He was there three weeks and transferred to Camp Dodge, from there to Camp Mills, and soon after he went overseas, landing about August 28th. He was taken ill about October 1st with influenza and pneumonia and passed away October 7th.

He has left to mourn his loss, his wife, father and mother (this mother having passed away since), and many loving friends. He was loved and missed by all who knew him.
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Source: Brookings, South Dakota, Register, Thursday, 9 June 1921, pages 1, 12