Obit: Smiley, Lester #3 (1912 - 1944)
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Surnames: Smiley, Edwards, Thompson, Marcott, Boubelik, Kraut, Green, Peterson, Olson, Krause, Jakel, Matthews, Bulgrin

----Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) 12/09/1948

Smiley, Lester (5 Feb. 1912 - 4 May 1944)

Miliatary funeral services were conducted at Curtiss, Saturday, Dec. 4, for Tech. Sgt. Lester Smiley, 32, who was killed in action in the battle for Rome, Italy, May 4, 1944.

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, Alvin Krause, and Bernard Jakel, classmates and veterans of World War II.

The Rev. C. S. Matthews, Owen, officiated at the rites and burial was made in Pine Hill cemetery.

Sgt. Smiley went into service March 16, 1942, serving with the Signal Corps. He was born in Messena, 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, Stellian, and the battle for Rome.

Before entering service he was employed by the Northern States Power company for several years. Surviving besides his parents are a sister, Mrs. DuWayne (Mary) Bulgrin, Owen; and two brothers, Donald, Duluth, Minn.; and Leland, Curtiss.