Chandler, Nellie Florence

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHAN.N003
• _FGRAVE: 24103439
• Census: 14-15 Apr 1930, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; 1930 Census, Clay City (Village), Clay County, Illinois, page 05a
• Census: 4 Apr 1940, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; 1940 Census, Clay City (Village), Clay County, Illinois, page 03a

Family/Spouse: Crackel, Lawson Edward. Lawson was born in 1874 in Illinois; died on 8 Feb 1946; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Garage Proprieter
• Reference Number: CRAC.C001
• _FGRAVE: 18300949
• Census: 8 Apr 1930, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; 1930 Census, Clay City (Village), Clay County, Illinois, page 02a

Notes:

Walter Crackel, 73, of Clay City, died at 3 a.m. Saturday at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Easley Funeral Home at Clay City, with burial in Clay City cemetery. Rev. Alex Cavenaile was in charge of the funeral rites.

The deceased, who was a farmer and welding shop owner, was a member of the Sailor Springs Christian Church. He was married to Bertha Bateman at Vincennes on May 13, 1913.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha; two daughters, Mrs. Rowena Miller and Mrs. Sadie Esser, both of Washington, Mo. ; two sons, Ray and Harold, both of Clay City; three brothers, Arthur, Pearl and John Crackel; and ten grandchildren.

Olney Daily Mail
Olney, IL
November 24, 1969

Died:
Walter Crackel, 73, of Clay City, died at 3 a.m. Saturday at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Family/Spouse: Bateman, Bertha E.. Bertha (daughter of Bateman, William and LEVITT, Victoria) was born on 26 Nov 1897 in Clay County, Illinois; died on 18 Feb 1994 in Washington, Franklin County, Missouri; was buried in Feb 1994 in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.J004
• _FGRAVE: 24197933

Family/Spouse: Dressell, Florence Mary. Florence was born on 9 Feb 1901; died on 17 Dec 1967; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.P001
• _FGRAVE: 27167301
• Military Service: World War II, Private, United States Army Air Forces

Notes:

Military Service:
Entered active service with the Air Corps as a draftee on 22 May 1942. Completed basic training and qualified in the military occupational specialty of Mess Attendant (590). Departed the Continental U.S. on 5 March 1943 bound for Oran, Algeria. Served with unknown units through the Tunisian Campaign and in Italy. Returned stateside on 17 November 1944 and stationed at the Veterans Administration facility at Danville, Illinois. Earned The Good Conduct Medal, The American Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle stars and the WWII Victory Medal. Honorably separated from the service with a certificate of disability discharge as a Private on 27 July 1945 at Chanute Field, Illinois.

This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=2001299

Family/Spouse: COLBORN, Emma Katheryn. Emma (daughter of Colborn, George Washington Jr. and Hardin, Mary A.) was born on 6 Feb 1907; died on 10 Feb 1986; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.J002
• _FGRAVE: 18301029
• Military Service: World War II, Technician Fifth Grade, Service Company, 346th Infantry Regiment, 91st 'Powder River' Infantry Division, United States Army
• Funeral: 12 Jan 1983, Hosselton-Bookout-Engelmeier Funeral Home, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

John E. Crackel, 73, Clay City, died Monday January 10, 1983 in Richland Memorial Hospital. Services at the Hosselton-Bookhout-Engelmeir Funeral Home in Clay City with Bro. Barry Sikes presiding.

Mr. Crackel was born March 10, 1909 in Sailor Springs, the son of Lawson and Nellie (Chandler) Crackel. He married Madge Stanford December 2, 1933 in Flora and she survives.

He was retired from Union Oil Company; was a U.S. Army World War II veteran; a member of the Clay City Christian Church; past master of the Clay City Masonic Lodge and past commander of Clay City American Legion.

Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Rod (Linda) Fleming, Mattoon and a brother, Pearl Crackel, Clay City.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and his parents.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) ~ January 10, 1983

Military Service:
Entered active service as a draftee on 5 August 1943 at Camp Grant, Illinois. Selected for the Field Artillery, completed basic training and qualified as a Light Truck Driver, military occupational specialty 345. Assigned to the Service Companyny, 346th Infantry Regiment, 91st 'Powder River' Infantry Division and departed the U.S. on 1 April 1944 bound for the European Theater of Operations where he trained in North Africa for war in the Italian Campaigns. Fought through the Rome-Arnono, Northern Apennines and Po Valley Campaigns. Earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze battle stars and the WWII Victory Medal. Honorably discharged as a Technician 5th Grade on 7 November 1945 at the Separation Center, Camp Grant, Illinois

This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=2004602

John married Stanford, Velena Maude 'Madge' on 2 Dec 1933 in Flora, Clay County, Illinois. Velena (daughter of Stanford, Harry Samuel and James, Kizzie) was born on 26 Mar 1912 in Louisville, Clay County, Illinois; died on 14 Sep 2000 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois; was buried on 18 Sep 2000 in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.R001
• _FGRAVE: 35089919
• Funeral: 18 May 1990, Hosselton-Bookout-Engelmeier Funeral Home, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

She was a member of the Methodist Church in Washington.

Family/Spouse: Miller, Milton S.. Milton was born on 7 Oct 1910; died on 4 Feb 1988; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Welder
• Reference Number: CRAC.R002
• _FGRAVE: 91806114
• Military Service: World War II, Sergeant, 1916th Ordnance Ammunition Company (Aviation), United States Army Air Forces
• Funeral: 15 Jun 2012, Clay City United Methodist Church, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Ray B. Crackel, 93, of Clay City, died June 11, 2012 at Clay County Hospital in Flora, IL.

He was born March 12, 1919 in Clay County, the son of Walter and Bertha Bateman Crackel. He married Kathryn Holman April 20, 1943.

Ray worked as a self-employed welder at Crackel's Welding Shop. He was a member of the Clay City Methodist Church, American Legion, and Masonic Lodge.

During World War II, Ray served in the Army Air Corps.

He was active in the community as a member of the fire department and served as town Chief for ten years. He also served as town board member and the Clay City School Board for many years.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Susan Anselowitz; sons, David and Richard Crackel; sister, Sadie Esser; brother, Harold Crackel; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Rowena Miller.

The funeral service was held at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home with burial in the Clay City Cemetery with military rites.

Memorials to the Clay City Methodist Church.

(Published Clay County Republican)

Military Service:
Entered active service as a draftee on 19 November 1942 at Camp Grant, Illinois. Trained as a Crane Operator (MOS 063) and served stateside until departing the Continental U.S. for the European Theater of Operations in June 1943. Served with ththe 1916th Ordnance Ammunition Company (Aviation). Earned the Driver and Mechanic Badge, The American Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, The WWII Victory Medal and The Good Conduct Medal. Honorably discharged from the Ordnance arm of service as a Sergeant on 10 January 1946 at Camp Grant, Illinois.

Source: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/Registry/plaque.aspx?honoreeID=1920649

Ray married Holman, Kathryn on 20 Apr 1943. Kathryn (daughter of Holman, William Shannon and Holman, Rosa Christina) was born on 10 Feb 1921 in Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; died on 2 Dec 2015 in Effingham, Effingham County, Illinois; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.S001
• _FGRAVE: 212445402
• Military Service: World War II, Second Lieutenant, Nursing Corps, United States Army

Notes:

Sadie M. Esser
October 30, 1921 ~ July 4, 2020 (age 98)

Obituary
Sadie M. Esser, NEE Crackel, 98 , of Washington, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on July 4, 2020.

Sadie was born to the late Walter and Bertha Crackel on October 30, 1921 in Clay City, IL. She graduated from Clay City High School in 1939. She went on to enter the DePaul School of Nursing and graduated as an R.N. in 1942. Sadie worked at Salem Memorial Hospital then moved to Los Angeles, CA with a girlfriend where she worked and lived for a year. Upon returning home in 1945, she joined the Army Nurse Corp and was stationed at Mayo General Army Hospital in Galesburg, IL where she cared for wounded soldiers. After the war was over in 1946, she met her future husband “Bo” Esser who served in the Navy from 1943-1946. During the next year she worked as a private duty nurse in area hospitals. On June 26, 1947 Bo and Sadie were married at St. Francis Borgia Church in Washington.

She worked at St. Francis Hospital until the birth of their first daughter. Her nursing career later included working 9 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and volunteering at St. Francis Hospital in Washington as an RN in the GI Lab.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband extensively in the states and abroad. Over her lifetime she cultivated many treasured friendships. She was involved in the Carlyle Sailing club, a “sewing” club, and in more recent years a card club and senior line dancing. Sadie was a member of the American Legion, Washington Historical Society, and the ECC Patrons of the Arts.

Mrs. Esser was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, Bernard “Bo” Esser; son, Glen A. Esser; granddaughter, Stacey Copeland; sister, Rowena Miller and brother, Ray Crackel.

Sadie is survived by three daughters, Janice Esser of Springfield, MO, Judy Copeland and husband Terry of Union, and Jane Montgomery and husband Marty of St. Louis; five grandchildren, Rebecca Copeland, Laura Bockhorst, and Andrew, Marcus, and Tara Montgomery; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kirsten, Connor, Carter, Aiden, and Hendrix; other relatives and many friends

Military Service:
After graduating from the De Paul Hospital Nursing School in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1942, volunteered for and entered active service in the Nurse Corps on April 19, 1945. Attended active duty orientation school at Fort Mccoy, Wisconsin, and specialized training resulting in qualifying for the military occupational specialty of General Duty Surgical Nurse (3449). Served stateside for 16 months and was honorably separated from active service as a Second Lieutenant on August 27, 1946 at Mayo General Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois. Earned the Meritorious Unit Badge, the American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.

Source: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/Registry/plaque.aspx?honoreeID=1959302

Sadie married Esser, Bernard S. 'Bo' on 26 Jun 1947. Bernard (son of Esser, Bernard H. and Souder, Emelie L.) was born on 9 May 1923 in Washington, Franklin County, Missouri; died on 20 Dec 2012 in Washington, Franklin County, Missouri; was buried in Saint Francis Borgia Cemetery, Washington, Franklin County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.H001
• _FGRAVE: 222920247
• Military Service: World War II, Flight Officer, 333rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 513th Troop Carrier Group, United States Army Air Forces

Notes:

Harold Leon Crackel, aka "Toad" or "Popsie," World War II pilot, expert woodworker, skilled welder, lifelong learner, proud resident of southern Illinois for 90 years, and most notably a strong willed debater, died January 19, 2021 at the age of 96 in Grass Valley, CA.

He was preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Dennis Carder and by his wife and sweetheart of 70 years, Kathern "Putty" Crackel. He will be forever missed by his daughter and son-in-law: Vicki and John Deam; his granddaughters: Rachelle (Nate) Ferguson, Shannon (Sam) Ward; and his great grandsons: Kaden Ferguson, Carder Ferguson and Dylan Burrow.

Military Service:
Served as an enlisted man prior to December 7, 1941. Volunteered for flight training in mid-1943. Upon graduation as a rated pilot, promoted to Flight Officer and entered active service in that capacity on September 8, 1944. Trained as a Twin EnEngine Transport Pilot (mos 1051). Departed the Continental U.S. on March 9, 1945 bound for the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Assigned to combat support missions with the C-47. Equipped 333rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 513th Troop Carrier Group through the Central Burma and China Offensive Campaigns. Missions included evacuation of wounded to India. Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle stars and the WWII Victory Medal. Honorably separated from the service as a Flight Officer on January 27, 1946 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1936554

Family/Spouse: Putnam, Kathern L. 'Putt'. Kathern was born on 22 Mar 1927; died on 18 Sep 2015 in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.R005
• _FGRAVE: 55174852
• Funeral: 21 Jul 2010, Clay City Christian Church, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Olney, Ill. — Revetta J. Travis, 86, of Clay City, died at 4:35 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2010, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.

Mrs. Travis was born December 17, 1923, in Sailor Springs, the daughter of James Arthur and Florence Mary (Dressel) Crackel. She married Leon Travis on December 17, 1940. He survives.

She was a homemaker and member of Clay City Christian Church.

Mrs. Travis is survived by her husband, Leon Travis, of Clay City; daughter, Jane Ann Smith and her husband, Joseph, of Olney; daughter, Joyce Arlene Boxdorfer and her husband, Mil, of Olney; son, Joseph Alan Travis and his wife, Kim, of Clay City; four grandchildren, Jason Smith and his wife, Melinda, Brian Boxdorfer, Reid Travis, and Courtney Musgrave and her husband, Aaron; and two great-grandchildren, Payton Smith and Reese Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Arthur and Florence Mary Crackel.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Clay City. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Clay City Christian Church with Pastor Darrell Brandon and Minister Ron Payne officiating. Burial will be in Clay City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Clay City Christian Church or Alzheimer's Association.

Revetta married Travis, Wilbur Leon on 17 Dec 1940 in Louisville, Clay County, Illinois. Wilbur (son of Travis, George Lucas and Scrugham, Ida) was born on 15 Dec 1919 in Xenia Township, Clay County, Illinois; died on 5 Mar 2014 in Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois; was buried on 8 Mar 2014 in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Fleming, R.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Shepardson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Anselowitz. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ?, J.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: ESSE.J001

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: ESSE.G001
• _FGRAVE: 63468324

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CRAC.N002

Notes:

Norma lived life to the fullest filling her days with family friends and career. She delighted in her grandsons by making big cookies, rice krispie treats and spoiling them. She lived a life of ministry to others by listening and helping people find their path in times of trouble. She had a passion for work starting her career at Trail Mobile in Charleston, IL. She spent the majority of her working years at Briggs Manufacturing Co, working every facet of the company.

Taking a new direction, she accepted the role of director for the Crawford County Development Association where she worked tirelessly to bring new industry including the ethanol plant to the community. In the past few years her love of manufacturing brought her back to Dana and most recently Cummins, in Charleston, SC.

Norma married Carder, Dennis Keith on 11 Jun 1971. Dennis (son of Carder, Lloyd L. and Patridge, D.M.) was born on 19 Jun 1951 in Flora, Clay County, Illinois; died on 8 Mar 2016 in Oblong, Crawford County, Illinois; was buried in Dillman Cemetery, Sailor Springs, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Smith, J.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

J.A.J. married ?, K. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: TRAV.J002
• _FGRAVE: 228094192
• Funeral: 23 Nov 2019, Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, Richland County, Illinois

Notes:

Joyce graduated from DePaul Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis and started her career as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, MO. She later worked for Richland Memorial Hospital and Weber Clinic in Olney with a total of 40 years of service as a nurse. During her retirement she volunteered for the RMH Auxiliary. She took pride in her career as a nurse and was a resource for family during sickness, illness, and injury. Joyce enjoyed reading and making picture books of her family and trips to Florida. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchild, Leona.

Died:
Joyce Arlene Boxdorfer, 68, of Olney, died on Monday, November 11, 2019 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.

Joyce married Boxdorfer, M. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]