Dewhirst, Leonard Vincent

Other Events and Attributes:

• Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois
• Reference Number: DEWH.L005
• _FGRAVE: 2552731
• Military Service: World War II, Second Lieutenant, Company K, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army

Notes:

Lt. Vincent Dewhirst was killed June 12, 1944, in the battle of Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion. He was the first known casualty in WWII, from Jasper county. Lt. Dewhirst was born August 7, 1918 near shamrock Illinois. After completing his work in rural schools in his home community, He attended Newton Community High School for two years then went to Chicago where he graduated from the Sullivan high school of that city with the class of 1938.
Besides his parents , he is survived by his grandfather, O.T. Dewhirst of Newton and a grand-mother, Mrs. George Birk. One sister, Kathryn of Chicago, one brother, Clifford of Newton. A sister, Frankey preceded him in death.

He was the first known casualty in WWII, from Jasper county.

After completing his work in rural schools in his home community, He attended Newton Community High School for two years then went to Chicago where he graduated from the Sullivan High School of that city with the class of 1938.

May 13, 1948
Olney Advocate, IL

The casketed remains of 2nd Lt. Leonard V. Dewhirst of Dundas, being returned from overseas for final burial will be sent to the Camp Butler National cemetery within the next month accompanied by a uniformed Army escort from the Chicago Distribution center of the American graves registration division.

The body of 2nd Lt. Dewhirst was interred in the St. Mere Eglise No. 1 temporary military cemetery in France, but has been returned to this country for final interment at the request of his next of kin, Leonard C. Dewhirst, of Dundas, IL.

Died:
Lt. Vincent Dewhirst was killed June 12, 1944, in the battle of Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.L004
• _FGRAVE: 48200818
• Funeral: Pulliam Funeral Home, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois

Notes:

Leonard Dewhirst, 80, of Dundas died 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Burgin Nursing Manor, Olney.

Funeral services will be 1:30p.m. Friday in Pulliam Funeral Home, Newton, with visitation 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Newton.

Mr. Dewhirst was born in Jasper, son of Tom and Maybelle Dewhirst. He was a member of the Blair Methodist Church, Dundas.
He married Lola Birk in 1915. Surviving are his wife; son, Clifford of Newton; daughter, Mrs. Loren (Kathryn) Jones Algonquin; half brother, James Dewhirst of Mattoon; half sister, Mrs. Roe (Lillian) Bower of rural Newton.

One Son, Vincent; one daughter, Frankey; and one half brother, William Eldon, preceded him in death

Died:
Leonard Dewhirst, 80, of Dundas died 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Burgin Nursing Manor, Olney.

Leonard married Birk, Lola on 3 Feb 1915. Lola was born on 13 Jul 1895 in Jasper County, Illinois; died on 30 Dec 1981 in Newton Rest Haven Nursing Home, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: BIRK.L001
• _FGRAVE: 48200562

Notes:

Lola Dewhirst, 86, of Dundas, died at 12:25pm Wednesday, December 30, 1981 in Newton Rest Haven.

Services will be in the Pulliam Funeral Home in Newton with Rev. Edward J.Cockerel presiding. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Mrs. Dewhirst was born July 13, 1895 in Jasper County, the daughter of George and Laura (Brown) Birk. She married Leonard C. Dewhirst on February 3, 1915 and he preceded her in death November 24, 1976. They had four children: Frankey,1915-1932; Leonard Vincent,1918-1944 (KIA in WW II); Erna Kathryn, 1916-1997; Clifford, 1926-2007. She was a member of Blair Methodist Church and a Golden Star Mother.

Survivors include a son Clifford of Newton; a daughter, Mrs. Kathryn Jones of Algonquin; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son, a daughter, two brothers and a sister.

Taken from the Olney Daily Mail, Olney, IL, Dec. 30, 1981.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.O001

Orlando married ?, Maybelle 'Belle'. Maybelle was born on 1 Oct 1861; died on 9 Oct 1906; was buried in Woods Cemetery, Bogota, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: UNK.M355

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.J002

James married Gray, Ruth D.. Ruth was born on 31 Mar 1831; died on 24 May 1911; was buried in Wesley Cemetery, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: GRAY.R012