West Union Argo-Gazette

West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa

 Oct. 05, 1921

A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL

--------------------------------------
Lester Slagle, Third Overseas Soldier

Returned to Waucoma for Burial

--------------------------------------

Waucoma, Oct. 3 -- The third and last of Waucoma's hero-dead has been returned to rest beneath home skies and their own red, white and blue.  The remains of Sergeant Lester Slagle, son of George Slagle of Mitchell, S.D., arrived Thursday night, accompanied by escort Brocken of Ft. Sheridan.  The body lay in state in the beautifully decorated Red Cross parlor, where many honored and viewed the casket of this soldier lad, who won the heart of old and young alike.  Despite defective vision Lester was among the first to respond to his country's call.  He was twice rejected, but was accepted when drafted in May.  His Co. F participated in the bloodiest of all battles, St. Mehiel and the Argonne forest, where the company was scattered, bravely gathering again for a final attack.  Here he fell, and died while being conveyed to the hospital.  Courage marked his record all the way through.  His grandfather, George Thompson, was a soldier of the blue.  The spirit of '61 and '17 clasped hands over a soldier's duty, faithfully performed.  The city park was crowded with friends gathered to pay a last long tribute of respect.  Words were fittingly spoken by Rev. W. H. Gifford and music rendered by the male quartette composed by Messrs. Truesdale, Hunerberg, Rose and Marron.  The remains were interred beside his mother, who preceded him twelve years ago.  A soldier boy rests, mourned by his father, two brother - Laverne and Merle, of Mitchell, S.D.; his aged grandmother Mrs. George Thompson, aunts, uncles and cousins, and one play-fellow and friend, who shared toys, joys and sorrows alike, an unusual and valued friendship.

[Submitter note: The surname Slagel is misspelled throughout the obituary.  It has been corrected after verification, to show the correct surname spelling as Slagle.]