Obit: Smiley, Lester #2 (1912 - 1944)

Contact: Stan  

Surnames: Smiley, Mathews, Thompson, Edwards, Marcott, Boubelik, Kraut, Green, Peterson, Olson, Krause, Jakel, Bulgrin

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 12/09/1948

Smiley, Lester (5 Feb. 1912 - 1944)

Military funeral rites were conducted at Curtiss Saturday for Tech. Sgt. Lester Smiley, age 32, who was killed in action in the battle for Rome, Italy, on May 15, 1944. Rev. C. S. Mathews of Owen officiated at the rites and internment was made in Pine Hill cemetery. A quartet composed of Mrs. Esther Thompson, Mrs. Jean Edwards, Wilfred Marcott, and the Rev. Mr. Boubelik furnished vocal selections. Pallbearers were Donald Kraut, Neal Green, Armin Peterson, DuWayne Olson, Alvina Krause, and Bernard Jakel, classmates and veterans of World War II.

Sgt. Smiley went into service on March 16th, 1942, serving with the Signal Corps. He was born in Mesena, Iowa, Feb. 5, 1912, and lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Smiley, on their farm since a small child. He received his elementary training at Fort Bragg, N.C., and went overseas, landing in Africa Christmas Day, 1942.

He served in the African campaign, Tunisia, Casablanca, Sicilian and the battle for Rome.

Before entering service he was employed by the Northern States Power Company for several years.

Surviving are his parents, a sister, Mrs. DuWayne (Mary) Bulgrin of Owen, and two brothers, Donald of Duluth, Minn., and Leland of Curtiss.