The Traer United Presbyterian Church’s World War II service honor roll plaque pictured recently. The walnut plaque was dedicated by the congregation in 1943. Volunteers with the church are seeking the community’s help in clarifying/updating names ahead of Veterans Day. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – Last year, the Traer United Presbyterian Church found a World War II Honor Roll plaque while preparing to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary. Research showed the plaque was made by Bon Volante and dedicated Sunday, Nov. 1, 1943, with 53 of 70 available slots listing men and women serving in the war (World War II) who were associated with the church. All 70 spaces eventually became taken, and the war wasn’t even over yet.

The church would like to clarify the names on the plaque and add any WWII veterans that were associated with the Traer United Presbyterian Church. Listed below are the original (O) names with 15 additional names we would like to add (A) for a list of WWII veterans associated in some way with Traer UPC. The plaque will be donated in the future with the updated history to the Traer Historical Museum.

If you know of a person you think should be added, please contact Sharon Stoakes at 319-415-3767.

Asa Arnold (O), Harold Blauer (O), Russell Borchers (O), Maurice Bordewick (O), George Buis (O), Lawrence Caslavka (O), Donald Crawford (O), Robert Crawford (O), Richard H. Crawford (O), David Currell (O), John Currell (O), Robert Currell (O), Robert Dahms (O), Bruce Dougan (A), Robert Eckhardt (O), John Erickson (A), Dale Galbreath (O), Earl Griffith (O), Jack Haack (O), Richard Head (O), Francis Henry (O), Robert Henry Jr. (O), Marshall Henry (O), Jack Hoeppner (O), Wendell Howard (O), Russell D. Hulse (O), David Irvine (O), Howard Irvine (O), William Irvine (O), Frank Josifek (A), Paul Keith (O), Marvin Gene Kern (O), Webster Latting (O), Donald Lenth (A), Harold Leuders (O), Warren Leuders (O), Dale Magnussen (O), Max Magnussen (O), Jean McEwen (A), Richard McEwen (A), Allen McKinley (A), C.G. McKnight (O), Charles McKnight (O), Maurice McMurray (O), Kenneth Mitchell (O), Robert Montgomery (O), William V. Montgomery (O), Thomas Montgomery (O), William A. Neidick (O), Lester Parkhouse (O), Raymond Parkhouse (O), James Paul (O), Clarence Read (O), William Read (O), John Read (O), Robert Read (O), Raymond Reid (O), Walter Richmond (O), Robert Richmond (O), Marvin Richmond (O), Delmer Richmond (O), Wendell Rider (O), Roger Rodimaker (A), Donald Sears (A), Donald Sheets (O), LaVern Staker (A), Lois Eleanor Stoakes (O), Dale Stull (A), Norman Taylor (O), John L. Tomlinson (O), Paul Townsend (O), Leiland Whannel (A), Raymond Whannel (O), Leroy Whannel (O), Warren Williams (O), Calvin Williams (O), Bert Williams (O), Royce Wilson (O), John Wilson (A), James Wilson (A), Roland Winkelpleck (O), Donald Wolfgram (A), Harold Wright (O), Clarence Wright (O), Robert M. Young (O).

Original 1943 newspaper article

The original Nov. 5, 1943 newspaper article announcing the dedication of Traer UPC’s World War II service honor roll is printed in its entirety below as a courtesy to our readers. It is believed the article contained at least one spelling error – the last name Deuders should have been Leuders.

SERVICE HONOR ROLL

Fifty-three From the Traer Congregation Are Now in Armed Forces

The Traer United Presbyterian congregation last Sunday morning dedicated a new World War II service honor roll, honoring fifty-three men and boys of the church and from local church families now serving in the armed forces. It is a beautiful walnut plaque with the names of the service men lettered in gold on small panels on the board. The plaque also bears the inscription, “Honor Roll, World War II,” in raised letters finished in gold; also an American eagle in gold and two Christian crosses. The memorial was planned and largely “hand made” by members of the Bon Volante group of the Sunday school, and is a fine piece of workmanship. The Bon Volante group paid all expenses, and gave it to the church.

The plaque was covered by an American flag when the service opened Sunday morning, and was unveiled during the dedication ceremonies. Special invitations were mailed to parents and other representatives of the service men to attend the service, and most of them were present.

The Rev. W.A. Thompson, pastor, preached an appropriate sermon, “Bible Portrait of a Soldier,” and Miss Marjorie Henry sang a solo.

The service men whose names appear on the roll are LeRoy Whannell, Lawrence Caslavka, Earl E. Griffith, Clarence and Harold Wright, Paul Keith, Donald Sheets, Robert M. Young, James Paul, Francis M. Henry, Dale Magnussen, Jack Hoeppner, Harold and Warren Deuders, Wendell Rider, Dale Galbreath, Raymond Reid, Marvin, Walter and Robert Richmond, Maurice H. Bordewick, David and Howard Irvine, Robert and Thomas Montgomery, John and Rober Wayne Currell, Clarence, John, William and Robert Read, Robert Crawford, Calvin, Warren and Bert Williams, Rev. Cassius G. and Charles McKnight, Robert Dahms, Maurice McMurray, Asa R. Arnold, George Buis, Robert Henry Jr., Marshal Henry, Russell Borchers, Kenneth Mitchell, Royce Wilson, Jack Haack, Harold Blauer, Richard Head, Roland Winkelpleck, Norman Taylor, Robert Eckhardt and Paul Townsend.

More names will be added as others from the church enter the armed services.