Jeffers, Earle 1917-1940

JEFFERS

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 1/10/2006 at 11:50:34

From the LeMars Sentinel, Friday, December 20, 1940, Page 1, Column 3:
Young Soldier Killed in Crash
Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers Reported Victim Of Accident

A broadcast over the radio yesterday stated that Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers, 22, of LeMars, was killed in an accident when an army transport was upset near Monterey, California.

The youth who enlisted in the army last August was stationed at Fort Ord, California, and was in artillery service.

His father, Fred Jeffers, of this city, had not been informed of the accident last night.

The unconfirmed news of the tragedy was first conveyed to him by neighbors who had been listening in the at the news broadcast period.

Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers grew up in LeMars and was a graduate of the 1939 class in LeMars high school.
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From the LeMars Sentinel, Tuesday, December 24, 1940, Page 1, Column 3:
Military Honors For Earle Jeffers
Body of Accident Victim Sent Home

Confirmation of the report broadcast over the radio Wednesday that Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers of LeMars had been killed while on duty in the army was received in a telegram Friday afternoon by Fred Jeffers of this city, father of the young man.

The telegram came from Fort Ord and asked about disposition of the body.

Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers was fatally injured Wednesday when an army transport was upset near Monterey, Calif., and he was thrown under the wheels.

The body will be brought here for burial and was expected to arrive late last night or this morning when funeral arrangements will be made.

The dead youth will be accourded a military funeral.
Born In Washington Township

Earle Deane Jeffers was born in Washington township, this county, April 17, 1917, and attended the LeMars public school and graduated in the class of 1939 and then attended Western Union college and later worked at Alcester, S. D.

He enlisted last June at Denver, Colo., and was assigned to the 19th enginers corps at Fort Ord, Calif.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jeffers, two sisters, Ruth and Winifred, and a brother, Donald.

Earle Jeffers was a member of Company K, Iowa National Guard, before volunteering for service in the regular army.
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From the LeMars Sentinel, Friday, December 27, 1940, Page 1, Column 4:
Final Rites For Young Soldier Here Sunday

Fred Jeffers of this city received a telegram Thursday saying the body of his son, Earl (sic--Earle) Jeffers, killed Wednesday of last week, would arrive in LeMars December 28.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presnyterian church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 with Rev. F. P. Pfaltzgraff officiating.

Military honors will be accorded the youth who died in military service near Fort Ord, Calif., when an army transport in which he was riding was upset and he was crushed beneath the wheels.

The arrangements are in charge of Luken's funeral home.
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From the LeMars Sentinel, Tuesday, December 31, 1940, Page 1, Column 2:
Last Rites for Young Soldier
Earle Jeffers Victim of Fatal Accident

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the First Presbyterian church for Earle Jeffers, who was killed while on duty in military service at Fort Ord, California, December 18. Rev. F. P. Pfaltzgraff officiated at the service.

The pallbearers were fellow members of Company K, Matt Levins, Vincent Conway, Robert Hathaway, Cloyd Zeig, Robert Becker and Lee Becker.

Military honors were accorded at the graveside and a volley by a firing squad and taps by a bugler sounded as the casket was lowered to the grave.

Private Chas. Martin, a member of the nineteenth engineer corps and a comrade of the death (sic-dead) youth, accompanied the body to LeMars.

Mrs. Lucy Millard, Dorothy Millard and Elmer Millard of Hawarden and William Howes of Sioux City came to attend the funeral.