Robert L. Townsend (1921-1944)

TOWNSEND, WILLIAMS, DEAL, SOWERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/16/2014 at 21:50:35

From Nevada Journal December 2, 1948

Pvt. R.L. Townsend Laid to Rest With Military Honors

Full military honors Wednesday afternoon were accorded Private Robert L. Townsend, who had given his life for his country and whose body was returned from overseas for committal in the Nevada cemetery.

Rev. C. E. Lookingbill was in charge of the service at the Ryan Funeral home where the flag draped casket rested.

The V.F.W. song "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep," was sung by Dick Selby, Mrs. Norman Dobson was musician.

The active pall bearers were Elmore Mayo, Bob McKim, Ray Guin, Howard Beal, Ernest Otto, and Clark Stookey. Honorary pall bearers were Alex Quinsland, Sesto Rocchi and Holly Eide.

The color bearers were Wayne Bierma and Ward Jackson and the color guard, Allen Bullock and Fred Lough.

At Graveside

The services at the graveside were in charge of Story county Post No. 2209, Veterans of Foreign Wars with Bernard J. Severeide, Commander and Lee Alexander, chaplain.

The firing squad which fired a 21 volley salute was in charge of Ted Clark and included Roy Prescott, Gary Wells, Ray Lemons, Elwood French, Barney Haynes, Bob Eller and Adolph Kleinschmidt. Dick McConnell was bugler.

Mr. Severide and Mrs. Stookey folded the flag and presented it to Escort Sgt. Reed who in turn presented it to the father in behalf of the United States and the Story County V.F.W. Post of which both Robert and his father were members.

During the funeral services Rev. C. E. Lookingbill read the following obituary.

Obituary

Private Robert L. Townsend son of Isaac Townsend, was born on June 7, 1921, and departed this life on December 7, 1944, while in the service of his country in the Mediterranean area.

As a boy Robert attended the State Center schools at State Center, Iowa, where his family lived at that time. He was inducted into the armed forces on Nov. 11, 1942, leaving Ames for his basic training in the Tank Corps at Ft. Knox, Ky. Robert went overseas in April 1943, and from there he went to Italy where he lost his life while in line of duty, having received the Purple Heart for injuries received on June 6th of 1944. His last letter received here was received on December 5th -- just two days prior to his death.

He leaves to mourn his passing his father and mother and grandmother of Nevada, his aunts Mrs. Ida Williams of Nevada; Mrs. Pearl Deal of Ames and Mrs. James Sowers of Fernald; besides a number of cousins and a host of friends. He was a member of Service Co. 757th and K.B.N.A.P.-D. 404.