Hodge, Earl W. 1895-1918

HODGE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/2/2012 at 11:11:05

DEATH OF AKRON SAILOR BOY

Earl W. Hodge Passed Away October 2, at Hampton Roads, Va., of Pneumonia-Burial Here

EARL W. HODGE

The sad news was received by relatives last week that another Akron young man—Earl Walter Hodge—had made the great sacrifice in the service of his country. It is true, he had not yet reached the battle zone over there, as he was still in training in the U. S. navy at Hampton Roads, Va., when he was stricken with pneumonia, from which his death resulted Wednesday, October 2, 1918.

However, this young man's memory is entitled to all the honor and respect that would have been his had he died in action, and the people of this community will unite in voicing praise to his loyalty and devotion to his country in time of great need, as well as to offer sincerest sympathy to the brothers, sisters and other relatives who mourn his untimely taking away.

Earl Walter Hodge was born in Akron, Iowa, October 8, 1895, and died at the aye of 22 years, 11 months and 24 days. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. S. Hodge, both of whom preceded him in death several years ago. Earl was the youngest of eight children, all of whom are living except one, Lorenzo, the third brother. There survive him three sisters and three brothers— Mrs. Ella Johnson, of Long Beach, Cal.; Forrest Hodge, of Sioux City, la..; Mrs. Phebe Clasen, of Wayne, Neb. Alonzo Hodge, of Beloit, Ia.; Joel S. Hodge, who is on his way to France, and Mrs. Melvina Hale, of Wayne, Nebraska.

Relatives residing in Akron are Mr. and Mrs. McMillan and Mrs. J. F. Johnston, uncle and aunts, and Mrs. John Batchelder, Hugh McCurdy and Luella McCurdy, cousins,Relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hale, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Clausen, of Wayne, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Hodge, of Beloit, la.; Forrest Hodge, of Sioux City, and Louis Chown, of Beloit, Ia..

Earl W. Hodge enlisted in the U. S. navy at Omaha, Neb., June 6, 1918. He entered the camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois, where he was in training until September 12, 1918, when he was moved to Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia. There his naval training continued until he was stricken with pneumonia. Although lie received the best of care and medical attention at the Hampton Roads Hospital, he succumbed to illness on October 2, 1918.

Due to some unaccountable delay, the remains did not arrive in Akron until yesterday (Wednesday) forenoon, just one week after his death. The remains were taken to the Klauer- Swanson Co. undertaking parlors, from which place the funeral procession departed for Riverside cemetery at five o'clock in the afternoon. The pallbearers and military escort consisted of Privates Olson, Hubbord, Port Bellwood, Farrin and Bowles, and as the cortege wended Its way to the "Silent City of the Dead," quite u number of autos joined the mourners and friends in the procession. Arriving at the grave, all gathered around the casket, which was draped with a large United States Hag and bedecked with beautiful dowers. Pastor L. M. Dorreen, of the Church of Christ, offered prayer, and Mrs. C. H. Wooton and Mrs. L. M. Dorreen sang a duet, after which Mr. Dorreen paid a splendid tribute to the patriotic service and heroic sacrifice of the deceased, who so freely save his life for his country and in the great cause of human liberty; offered comforting assurance to the sorrowing relatives, and reminded his hearers of the duties it was necessary for them to perform in buying Liberty Bonds, supporting the Red Cross. Y. M. C. A. and other war work organizations, which was necessary in upholding the Nation and its brave lighting men in the great struggle for victory and lasting peace. Mesdames Wooton and Dorreen sang; "Shall We Gather at the River," and Mr. Dorreen again offered fervent prayer. The soldier squad fired a salute over the grave ns the remains of Sailor Earl W. Hodge were lowered to a last resting place beside his father.

The uncertainty of the time the remains would arrive here made it difficult to arrange for services and ceremonies such as would have been fitting and proper in the case of the first Akron young man in the United States service to be brought home for burial. Flags were flown at half-mast and the business houses closed as a mark of respect during the hour of service. It was to be regretted, however, that there was not a larger assemblage of our people at Riverside cemetery at the burial service.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, October 10, 1918
Akron, Iowa