BOLAR, Charles Sutton: 1918-1942

BOLAR, SUTTON, DOUD, SCHERER, ZIHLMAN, HOWE, WRIGHT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 11/2/2013 at 23:54:01

???? 29, 1945
PAGE ELEVEN

Charles Bolar Died While Jap Prisoner In 1942, Family Learns

Charles Sutton Bolar, son of Mrs. Ella Bolar, 119 South Ash street, died June 3, 1942, while a prisoner of war of the Japanese at Camp O'Connell in the Philippine islands, the war department has announced.

He was born in Ottumwa January 26, 1918, the son of John W. and Ella Sutton Bolar. An Ottumwa high school graduate with the class of 1936, he worked at Morrell's for two years, then attended Simpson college at Indianola for one year. He transferred to the University of Oregon at Eugene and was there two years before entering the service July 7, 1941. While in Oregon he was active in the forestry service, with the noted "Red Hat" forest-fighting unit of Oregon, and was public relations director for the Camp.

Bolar sailed for the Philippine islands seven days after enlisting, and was attached to the 28th materiel squadron of the air corps at Clark field, Manila. He was reported missing June 20, 1942, and no further word was received until the letter stating he had died. The last letter from Bolar, personally, was written to his mother, February 14, 1942, before he was a prisoner, expressing faith in the final victory of the allies, and ending: "Be calm and have faith."

He was a member of the Wesley Methodist church and a private prayer service for him was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. R.C. Keagy.

One sister and his father preceded him in death.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ella Bolar, and six sisters, Mrs. Edna Doud, Ogden, Utah; Mrs. Helen Scherer, El Paso, Tex.; Mrs. Idell Zihlman, San Diego, Calif.; Miss Cecile Bolar, Chicago; Mrs. Ines Howe and Mrs. Hazel Wright, both of Ottumwa.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 308, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

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