----Source: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 12/19/1918

Smazel, Walter (27 MAY 1903 - 16 Dec 1918)

None but those who sat in the shadow of a great bereavement can justly weigh the sorrow that befell Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smazel, of Sherry, when their fifteen year old son, Walter Joseph, passed away Monday morning at 7:45 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Baer in this city (Colby, Wis.), the cause of death being acute nephritis.

The young lad had been ailing the past eight weeks and has been in the hospital at Marshfield the past six weeks. All hopes of his recovery were given up and the boy, realizing this, requested that he be brought to the home of his uncle and aunt to spend his few remaining days. This request was granted him and he was brought here last Wednesday.

Deceased was born May 27, 1903 at Sherry, where he lived with his parents on a farm until two years ago, when he came to Colby to attend the Catholic school. Here he stayed one year, after which he returned to his home.

Besides his parents he leaves to mourn his untimely death, three brothers: Frank, Clarence and Ernest, and one sister, Angelan, all of who are younger and still at home.

The remains were shipped to Sherry Tuesday noon, where funeral services will be held Thursday from the Catholic Church.