Lemka, William C. 1927 - 1946

LEMKA, KOEHN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/8/2024 at 13:21:49

Clayton County Register, 19 Sept. 1946.

A traffic accident claimed the life of William Lemka, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray C. Lemka of Oak Park, Ill., former Elkader residents, last Saturday Sept. 14. Billy and several of his boy scout buddies and their scout master, left Oak Park early that morning for a days outing at Apple River Canyon, near Freeport, Ill. It was a foggy morning and as they attempted to pass a car their car collided with a truck. Billy and one of his companions were instantly killed and the other passengers of the car were seriously injured.

Funeral services were held at the Harvard Congregational church at Oak Park at 11 o'clock Monday morning. The body was brought to the Witt funeral chapel in Elkader Monday evening, where services were held at 1:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon to the Peace Evangelical and Reformed church at 2 p.m. The Rev. Paul Kitter oficiating.

The Lemka-Stendel Post of the American Legion, Elkader, had charge of the military service. Burial was in the East Side cemetery.

William C. Lemka was born in Elkader, May 24, 1927, the son of Raymond and Melba (Koehn) Lemka. At the age of six years he moved with his parents to Oak Park, Ill. He was baptized by Rev. C. H. Franke, a former pastor of the Peace Evangelical and Reformed church in Elkader, and was a member of the Harvard Congregational church in Oak Park. At the age of 12 years he joined the Boy Scout Troop No. 35 of Oak Park of which he was an active member until his death. He graduated from the Oak Park high school in June 1945. On July 01st of that year he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at Gustavus college, St. Peter, Minn.; Iowa State college, Ames, and Alameda, Calif., where he received his discharge August 07, 1946. All plans had been made to continue his education at the State University of Illinois.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray C. Lemka, a sister, Mary Lucille his grandmother, Mrs. Lena Lemka, Elkader, and grandfather, William Koehn of Oak Park, Ill., and many relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were: H. L. Meyer, A. J. Johnson, N. H. Niemeyer, L. D. Dittmer, A. J. Meyer and Leigh Matthews of Farmersburg.