Surnames: Haas, Conger, Biegler, Novak, Stragisher, Zilk, Peterson, Tibbett, Wasserburger, Wagner, Robets, VanGorden, Langreck, McIntrye, Opelt, Prochazka, Caton, Dimmermn, Bornhofen, Green, Wheeler, Porter, Johannsen, Gibbs, Brandt, Smith, Robinson, Lennie, Bever, Sherman, Rossman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 13 July 1944

Haas, John B. (? - 4 July 1944)

Neillsville’s third air hero to give his life in World War II has come home. Funeral services for Lt. John B. Haas, who was killed in a plane crash in Connecticut July 4, were held Monday.

The flag-covered casket was brought to Neillsville Saturday by Flight Officer John Conger of Indianapolis, Ind., a friend of the dead flier, who had been with his throughout Lt. Haas’ flight training. It was brought from Hotchkiss Beach, Branfield, Conn., where the plane Lt. Haas was flying crashed and exploded during a training flight.

A solemn funeral High Mass was spoken by the Rev. J. A. Biegler, C. PP. S., assisted by the Rev. John Novak, deacon, of Greenwood, and the Rev. Raphael Stragisher, O. F. M., sub-deacon, of Willard, Francis Zilk was master of ceremonies; Carl Petersen, censer bearer, and Dick Tibbett and Frank Wasserburger, Acolytes. The Mass was sung by the children of St. Mary’s Church and Mrs. Arthur Wagner was the organist.

The regular burial service of the church was held at the grave in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, where military rites also were observed. The Marshfield Home Guards, who had volunteer their services, furnished a firing squad to fire a salute at the grave, and one of their number blew taps. The color bearers and an honorary escort were furnished by the Neillsville American Legion Post.

Pallbearers were Glen Roberts, Heron VanGordon, Harold Langreck, Patrick McIntrye, Robert Opelt and Richard Prochazka. A rosary service was held on Sunday evening at the Schiller-Terhune Funeral Home. Flight officer John Conger left Tuesday to return to his air base at Bradley field, Conn.

Relatives and friends from out of town who attended the services included: Mr. and Mrs. James Caton, son, Don, and daughter Janet, Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Dimmerman and sons, Jerome and Pvt. Francis Dimmermen, Eau Claire; John Bornhofen and Mrs. James J. Green, Antigo; Mrs. J. C. Wheeler, St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Hattie Haas, Stanley; Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Haas and sons, Glen and S/Sgt. Vernon D. Haas, Withee; Mr. and Mrs. Allie Haas, son, Allie, Jr., and daughter Carol; Mrs. Francis Porter and daughter Rosemary, Jefferson; Mrs. Nellie Johannsen, South Milwaukee; Pfc. Joseph N. Haas, Ft. Riley, Kansas; Mrs. F. H. Gibbs, Mrs. Reid Gibbs and daughter June, and Mrs. Carl Brandt, Thorp; Mrs. Ed. Smith and Son, Withee; Mr. and Mrs. Vern Robinson and Mrs. D. Lennie, Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Beaver; Norwalk; Mrs. Gertrude Sherman, and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Rossman and daughter, Greenwood.