Iowa Old Press
The Sioux Center News, March 8, 1945
HULL SOLDIER IN STATES
Mrs. Richard Dykstra had a telegram Saturday from Pvt. Richard Dykstra. It came from New Jersey that he was in the States and a letter would follow. He was wounded in France a few months ago.
IRETON—
Petty Officer Robert Ping, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ping of McNally, arrived home for a visit after being 18 months in the Pacific on a destroyer. He will report to Bremerton, Washington, at the completion of his visit and be transferred to a carrier. He has been in the Navy a year and 10 months. 16 months being spent in the war zone.
IRETON—
Ireton Soldier Honorably Discharged
Pvt. Richard Herwynan arrived home Tuesday from California where he received his honorable discharge from the army.
Mrs. Simeon Disselkoen left Tuesday evening for Topeka, Kansas, where she will spend 10 days with her husband, Pfc. Simeon Disselkoen, who was wounded in Leyte last December and is recuperating in a hospital at Kansas.
Attends Army “University” in England—
An Eighth Air Force Fighter Station, England.—Staff Sergeant Richard J. Kroon, of Sioux Center, Iowa, is one of more than 200 Eighth Air Force soldiers studying in their spare time at the 79th Fighter Group’s “University” in preparation for their return to civilian life.
Sgt. Kroon is taking courses in advertising and photography, attending classes two nights a week. He is a squadron supply clerk, keeping records of clothing and equipment, in a P-51 Mustang unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Olin E. Gilbert, of Collinsville, Ill.
The school, one of a number to be set up under the Army Education Program, offers 12 subjects, and students have signed up for 15 weeks study. Their instructors are fellow soldiers doubling as teachers in subjects which were their professions before joining the army. After Germany’s defeat, the school will expand into a full-time educational system for soldiers waiting for transfer back home or to other theaters.
The Sergeant attended Sioux Center High School and worked for the Brommer Transfer Company before entering the army.
The Alton Democrat, Thursday, March 22, 1945
Rites Wednesday For Mrs. H. Boone
Mrs. Henry Boone, nee Anna Langstraat, passed away suddenly at her home, northwest of Hospers Friday evening, Mar. 16, after a brief illness. She was born April 14, 1885 at Newkirk and resided in that community all her life. Feb. 3, 1909 she was married to Henry Boone, who preceded her in death in June, 1933. Their two surviving children are Mrs. Roy Voss of Slayton, and Everet on the home place. Cornelius preceded his mother in death in. February, 1935. Also surviving are three sisters: (Gertie) Mrs. J. Vander Hoef, Boyden; (Minnie) Mrs. Gt. Slothouber and Allie, Mrs. John Dekkinga of Chicago; and two brothers: Henry and William Langstraat of Newkirk. Funeral services were held Wednesday at Newkirk Reformed church, with interment in the Newkirk cemetery.
Ens. Fred Cooper Missing In Action
Ens. Frederick Cooper, former Orange City athletic coach reported missing in the Pacific area may still be alive, is the hope of his many Orange City friends.
Mrs. Cooper and small Rebecca returned to Orange City Saturday from Winterset where they were visiting the former’s parents when the official telegram reached them. The landing craft which Ens. Cooper was assisting to operate was hit four times by enemy gun fire, and another ensign on the same boat was reported killed. Mrs. Cooper was advised of this in a letter from the ensign’s wife and also heard from the wife of another officer who was wounded in the same engagement. It is her hope that Ens. Cooper was picked up by some other craft and will still be heard from.
Cpl. I. Gaspar Killed In Action
Cpl. Isidore Gaspar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Gasper of Dell Rapids, S.D. (former residents of the Alton-Granville vicinity) has been reported killed in action in Germany.
Notice of his death was received Thursday, March 8th, the telegram stating that he had been killed, Feb. 24th.
Memorial services were held Monday, March 12, at St. Joseph’s Catholic churce a Huntimer, S.D. Rev. James Reily had charge of the services.
Cpl. Gaspar was born and grew to manhood at Miller, S.D., and was engaged in operating a farm there when called to the service, March 6th.
He went overseas in December 1943 and was a member of the Combat Engineers in Gen. Patton’s 3rd Army. Besides his parents, Cpl. Gaspar is survived by four brothers and five sisters. He has numerous uncles, aunts and cousins in this vicinity, several of whom attended the memorial services, including Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gaspar of Granville, Miss Lucy Gaspar of Sutherland, Mike Gaspar and the Misses Mary and Susan Gaspar of Alton.
Uncover Buried Loot On Luzon
Cpl. Howard Lubbers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lubbers of Orange City and Marvin L. Gilmore of Cleghorn, brother-in-law of Della Beth Thomson of Orange City, are the with the 33rd Division, which recently uncovered half a million dollars in buried Jap loot. Says the Division newspaper:
“There I stood, kneed deep in money. I had to pinch myself to see if it was really me.” That was the felling of Pfc. Lew Zerillo of Long Island, N.Y., when he found some half million dollars in silver coins, looted by the Japanese and buried alongside a highway somewhere in the Philippines. The money was partially uncovered by an exploding shell and came from the vaults of Philippine banks. Four army trucks were required to haul the six tons of silver away. Although bales of Jap invasion money had been captured, this was the first American and Filipino money recovered during the liberation campaign.
Milo Zenk, Lloyd Vanden Berge Make Supreme Sacrifice
Alton places of business will be closed Saturday morning during the Memorial Service for Pfc. Milo Zenk.
Pfc. Milo J. Zenk, eldest son of Mr. Mike Zenk, of Alton was killed in action on Luzon island in the Philippines Feb. 8th. The sad tidings reached the family here Sunday morning, March 18, in a telegram from the War Department, which stated that further details will follow.
Memorial services at St. Mary’s church at first announced for Friday, were later postponed to Saturday morning March 24, while arrangements were being made for Milo’s twin brothers to get leave from Great Lakes Training Station. Alfred has finished his boot training and was expected this week, but Alvin on Sunday was still in the hospital after recovering from scarlet fever. Through the Red Cross leave was arranged for Alvin and the twins arrived together Wednesday afternoon.
Milo was born on the Zenk farm east of Alton, March 2, 1922, and had nearly reached his 23rd birthday. He was inducted into the Army on July 8, 1943, and had his basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas. He went overseas the first of January, 1944. After a month in New Zealand, he was sent with his outfit, the 35th Infantry, to New Calendonia where he had his first combat duty.
He arrived in the Philippines early in January of this year. In a letter written Feb. 1st, he told the family that he was in combat.
Surviving are his father, two sisters and five brothers, namely, Mildred, Alvin and Alfred, Richard, Donald, Cyril and Mary Ann. The mother of the family passed on eight years ago, on June 25, 1937.
Milo attended the local St. Mary’s school, where he was a favorite with all and developed into a remarkably fine young man. Exemplary in morals and conduct, none could have been better prepared than he to make the supreme sacrifice for home and country. The community was greatly shocked by the news and will forever honor his memory, along with the seven other young men from this vicinity whose names are marked with gold stars. He is the first casualty in the Philippines from this vicinity since Leo Mack was killed at Clark Field in December, 1941.
*****
Pfc. Lloyd Ira Vanden Berge of the Carnes vicinity was killed in action Mar. 2, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Jennie Vanden Berge Friday morning, Mar. 15.
The telegram reads: “The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regrets that your son, P.F.C. Lloyd Vanden Berge was killed in action in Germany, Mar. 2, 1945. Confirming letter follows. ~J. A. Ulio, Adj. General.”
Lloyd was born Mar. 15, 1923, on a farm near Carnes and lived there until he entered the service of his county. At the time of his death he was 21 years, 11 months and 15 days old. He made confession of his faith in his Lord and Master and has been faithful to his vow until called to his Heavenly home far away from his earthly home on the battle field of Europe.
Before going into service he worked on the farm with his mother. He entered the service Dec. 2, 1943, and took his basic training at Camp Blanding, Fla. He came home on furlough Mar. 2, reported back to Ft. Meade, Md. from where he sailed for England on July 2, 1944. He completed 3 weeks of training in France and then went to Germany. After two weeks there, he was transferred to the 70th Tank Battalion. From Belgium he went to Paris and then to Luxemburg, where he saw his first action in November, under the command of Gen. Patton. He served with the 4th Division of the 3rd Army.
Lloyd is survived by his mother, three sisters and two brothers, namely: Jean, Mrs. Richard Hawkins of LeMars; Pete of the U.S. Navy; Ruth, Mrs. Frank DeVries; Darlene and James at home; and by his fiancée, Arlene Beltman of Alton. His father, Peter Vanden Berge, preceded him in death four years ago.
A memorial service for the young soldier was held Tuesday evening at the First Reformed church of Orange City with Rev. Colenbrander officiating.
The American Legion tendered military honors. The colors were carried by Howard Ruisch and Henry Van Roekel, both home on furlough. Will Ver Doorn placed the gold star on the flag following silent prayer and sound of taps. A solo, “When the Blue Star Turns to Gold” was sung by Daisy Mouw and Fred Brower sang, “Farewell, Soldier Boy.” A quartet sang, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” –members of the quartet were Phyllis Mulder, Anna Jean Heemstra, Lewis De Koster and Fred Brower.
Relatives and friends from a distance at the services were Bluejacket Pete Vanden Berge of Great Lakes, Ill.; Mrs. Joe Haines of Harvey, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ruisch of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Oren Van Iperen and daughters of George; Mr. and Mrs. H. Nieuwenhuis, Mr. and Mrs. Arie Lucas, William, Adrian and Lois, Mr. and Mrs. Cornie Wilkins, all of Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. T. Van Zee, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Grotenhuis and Audrey, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Druyvesteyn, all of Hospers; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ykema, Mr. and Mrs. Gerben Keizer, of Hawarden; Mrs. Henry Luchtenburg of Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Van Roekel, Henry and Leona, Mrs. J. Eernisse, of Sheldon.