Kempker, John "Jack" 1922-1943

KEMPKER, KERWIN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/19/2011 at 15:25:14

Cpl. John Kempker Is War Victim

Cpl. Jack (John) Kempker, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kempker of LeMars and grandson of Mrs. M. F. Kerwin of Carroll, was killed in action October 2, according to word received by his parents yesterday. The message did not state where his death occurred, but when last heard from Cpl. Kempker was in Africa.

The twenty-one year old youth was well known in Carroll, where he was born, and attended St. Joseph’s School. The family later moved to LeMars, where he was graduated from high school.

A memorial mass is to be held at 9:30 Wednesday morning at St. Joseph’s Church, LeMars, with Rt. Rev. Monsignor Fisch officiating.

Besides his parents, Cpl. Kempker leaves five brothers, four of whom are with the armed forces, and one sister, Mary Catherine, who is home with her parents. His brothers are: Sgt. Paul Kempker, Camp Gruber, Okla.; Lieut. Robert Kempker, a bombardier in England; Lieut. Edward Kempker, a bombardier in Iceland; Pvt. Gerald Kempker, in Hawaii, and Jimmy, a senior in the LeMars high school.

Source: Daily Times Herald, Carroll, Iowa, Oct. 23, 1943
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[Another Obituary]

Source: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, October 26, 1943

Jack Kempker Killed In Action Overseas Oct 2

In African Campaign Enlisted With Co. K In February, l94l,

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Kempker of 715 First Street SE were notified Friday that their son, John C. Kempker, who joined the, army in February, 1941, and went to camp Claiborne with Co. K, had been killed in action. The telegram said: "The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy in the loss of your son Cpl. John C. Kempker. He was killed in action October 2 in the North African area."—Adjutant General.

Jack, as he was known by all his friends, was the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Kempker's five sons with the armed services. Two of his brothers, Lieut. Robert Kempker and Lieutenant Ed Kempker, are bombardiers with, the U. S. air forces in England. Staff Sergeant Paul Kempker is located at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma and Gerald is a tail gunner on a bomber stationed in Hawaii.

John C. Kempker was born in Carroll Iowa, August 14, 1922, and moved to Le Mars with his parents seven years ago. He attended St. Joseph school and graduated from that institution in 1940. He is survived by his parents, the four brothers in the army, one brother, James, and one sister, Mary, at home.