Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1918 — Obituary [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Obituary

George Wellington Gratner George Wellington Gratner, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gratner, was born December 14 1896, died November 20, 1918, aged 21 years, eleven months and sixteen days. He was baptised when a child at the Barkley M. E. church, and was raised in that faith,, a cheerful, bright and promising young man, loved by all who knew him. His life was spent in and near his home until he answered the call of his country on September 6, 1918 He was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky. After serving two weeks he was takn ill and removed to the base hospital on September 20, where he was a patient sufferer for eight weeks, when the final summons came November 20. He was a remarkable patient, loved by nurses and doctors. When the end was near he bade them all a cheerful good-bye and told the nurse to tell all his friends and parents goodbye, that he was sure he was going to heaven, and hoped to meet them all there. He leaves to mourn their loss his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Ruby Hoeferlin and Ethel Gratner; three brothers, Floyd, Warren and Lewis Gratner, besides other relatives and many dear friends.