Birk, Lola

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.

Lola married Dewhirst, Leonard C. on 3 Feb 1915. Leonard (son of Dewhirst, Orlando Thomas and ?, Maybelle 'Belle') was born on 22 Jan 1896 in Jasper County, Illinois; died on 24 Nov 1976 in Burgin Manor Nursing Home, Olney, Richland 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