This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gordon, Haendel Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Tk.2ADE/2413 Message Board Post: >From a September 1945 Postville Herald Pvt. Virgil Gordon Accidentally Drowns in Texas Sunday The community was shocked Monday morning to learn of the news that Private Virgil Gordon, Son of Mrs. Wallace Gordon of this city, accidentally met death by drowning Sunday (02 Sep 1945) at Fort Worth, Texas. He was stationed at Camp Wolters, Texas, having been inducted from this county in May shortly after his graduation from high school. No further particulars concerning the accident have been received up to the time we go to press. Virgil was an industrious youth, be1oved by all who knew him. In addition to his school studies, he learned railway telegraphy at the Milwaukee depot from Albert Bertelson and C. C. Searls, the agents, during hours before and after school. He had become so proficient in this work that he filled numerous positions on the I. & D. division even before graduating from high school. Before leaving for the army he held positions as railway telegraph operator at Emmettsburg and Mason City. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon with the Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig officiating and Arthur F. Brandt Post of the American Legion participating. Services will be hled at two o'clock at the Schutte Funeral Home, and at 2:30 at St. Paul's Lutheran church. Interment will be in Postville Cemetery. Virgil was born in Postville March 22, 1927, the son of Wallace Gordon and Annie Haendel Gordon. He was 18 years old, and he spent his entire lifetime here until going into the service of his country May 18, 1945. He is survived by his mother, four brothers, Harley of Independence, Ralph of Inglewood, Calif., Eldo in the United States Navy, Richard of Charles City; one sister, Edna, Mrs. Ed. O'Brien, of Hollywood, Calif; one niece and three nephews. His father, two sisters, and one brother preceded him in death.