RETURN BODY OF WAR VET FOR BURIAL
The body of Pvt. Ernest M. Rigler, Jefferson county’s 33rd on the list of those killed during World War II, is being returned to this country for burial.
Pvt. Rigler’s widow, who resides in Ottumwa, received word this week from the government that her husband’s body is enroute to the United States for final burial.
According to word received from the War Department, Pvt. Rigler lost his life in action in Belgium on December 26, 1944.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rigler who reside at Batavia. He was a graduate of Batavia high school and was employed by the C. B. & Q. railroad for some time before entering service.
Pvt. Rigler was a member of the Batavia Christian church and on January 2, 1939, was ordained into the ministry. He served as minister of the Batavia Christian church for four years and he also preached at Packwood and Abingdon.
He was called for physical examination on January 20, 1944, and left for Camp Dodge for induction February 22, 1944.
He was sent from Camp Dodge to Camp Fannin, Texas, for six months before going overseas on August 10. He served in England, France, Belgium and Holland.
Pvt. Rigler is the 16th war victim to be returned to Jefferson county for burial, and the second from the Batavia community.
Details concerning funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Source: Fairfield Ledger, March 12, 1949, pg 1, col 1.
PLAN FUNERAL FOR BATAVIA WAR VETERAN
BATAVIA, Iowa, April 23—The body of Pvt. Ernest M. Rigler, former Batavia man who was killed in action during World War II, will arrive here April 26, and final rites will be held on Wednesday, April 27.
The Services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Campbell-Rupp funeral parlor with Rev. S. P. Williamson of Fairfield in charge. Burial will be in the Batavia cemetery.
Pvt. Rigler is the 17th of the Jefferson county’s war dead returned home for burial, and the second to be laid to rest in the Batavia cemetery.
His body arrived in the United States from Europe on March 12. A telegram received at the Batavia depot this week stated the body is to arrive here on train No. 7 next Tuesday.
According to word received from the War Department in January, 1945, Pvt. Rigler was killed in action in Belgium on December 26, 1944.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rigler, who reside at Batavia. His widow, Mrs. Thelma Rigler, lives in Ottumwa.
Ernest M. Rigler was a graduate of the Batavia high school and was employed by the C. B. & Q. railroad for some time before entering the armed forces. He was a member of the Batavia Christian church and on January 2, 1939, was ordained into the ministry. He served as minister of the Batavia Christian church for four years, and he also preached at Packwood and Abingdon.
He entered the armed forces on Feb. 22, 1944, and went from Camp Dodge to Camp Fannin, Tex., for six months before going overseas on August 10 the same year. He served in England, France, Belgium and Holland.
Besides his wife and parents, Pvt. Rigler is survived by four children: Judith, Lane, Delieth, and Lyle; and a brother, Clarence Rigler, at home.
Source: Fairfield Ledger, April 23, 1949, pg 1, col 3.
