Bio: Stelloh, George ( Death – 19 Apr 1919)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Pagenkopf, Stelloh, Rice, Taylor

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/22/1919

Stelloh, George (Information on Death– 19 APR 1919)

Mrs. Clara Pagenkopf has received the following official Red Cross notice of the death of her brother, George Stelloh:
A.P.O. 917, Coblenz, Germany
April 19, 1919

Evac. Hosp. No. 9
Subject: Cpl. Geo. Stelloh, Hdq. Co., 121 M.G. Bn.
Mrs. Clara Pagenkopf, R. 1, Bx. 16, Neillsville, Wisconsin

My Dear Mrs. Pagenkopf:
By the time you receive this, the official notice of your brother’s death will have reached you. As representative of the Home Communication Service of the American Red Cross, it is my sad duty to send you further details. He was admitted to the hospital on April 1, with a diagnosis of influenza, and on April 7th, the doctors decided that he had meningitis. He was delirious all the time that he was here, and there is very little to write you except that he had every possible care. This is a fine American hospital, and he had a special nurse. He died at 9:54 a.m. on April 12. I wish I could make you realize that everything possible was done to save his life, and that nothing more could have been done for him at home.

The funeral was held on April 13 at 2 o’clock, and was a military service conducted by Chaplain Rice of the command. It was my privilege to be present. The coffin, draped with the American flag and bearing as sheaf of flowers from the American Red Cross, was carried to the cemetery in an ambulance escorted by the comrades who acted as pallbearers and fighting squad. As it was borne to the side of the grave, all the soldiers stood at salute. The Chaplain read prayers at the grave, and then the firing squad fired three volleys and the bugler sounded the last sad “Taps”, while the men stood again at salute in your brother’s honor. It was very impressive.

The American Cemetery is on a forfeited hill overlooking the suburbs of Coblenz and the Mosel River. Now that spring is here and all the leaves are out, it is a very beautiful place. Your brother’s grave is No. 84, Plot 2, Section A, and is marked with a simple cross bearing his name and identification disc. It will be cared for by the Graves Registration Bureau of the A.E.F. I have been told unofficially that the bodies of our boys will not be left in German soil, but, of course, you will receive definite information from the government concerning this matter.

Please feel that you have the sympathy of the entire American people expressed through the American Red Cross. It seems so hard that we should lose our men now that the great victory has been won. Those of us who are over here certainly appreciate their wonderful spirit and understand what a big part they played in the winning of the victory. Surely the dear ones at home who gave them up so bravely deserve an equal share of the honor!

With the deepest personal sympathy, I am
Very sincerely yours,
Mary K. Taylor, Home Communication Service, American Red Cross

P.S. Your brother’s personal belongings will be returned as rapidly as possible by the Personal Effects Bureau of the A.E.F.