?, Maybelle 'Belle'

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: UNK.M355

Family/Spouse: Dewhirst, Orlando Thomas. Orlando (son of Dewhirst, James and Gray, Ruth D.) was born in 1868; died in 1946; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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: DEWH.F001

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.C001

Notes:

He was a member of the Blair Church and attended an elementary one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Newton High School in 1944.

Clifford worked at Newton Auto Parts for over 25 years. After his employment there, Clifford and Ellen owned and operated a NAPA dealership in Kirkland for several years before their retirement. He was a history buff, an avid golfer, bowler and gardener until his health began to decline. He always enjoyed spending time with his grand-children. Clifford was a long-time member of Newton Masonic Lodge 216 and received his 32nd degree in 1997. Having played football during his high school years, he remained a Newton Eagles football fan throughout his life.

Clifford married Henry, Ellen Rose on 2 Feb 1952 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ellen was born on 23 Aug 1927 in Malta, DeKalb County, Illinois; died on 18 Feb 2014 in Newton, Jasper County, Illinois; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.C002