This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: KarinKing45 Surnames: Okeley, Burkhead, Smith, Rabbitt Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.adams/4299/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Decatur Daily Democrat Adams County, Indiana Friday, June 26, 1925 WAR VETERAN DIED TODAY Ralph Okeley Died From Effects of Being Gassed At Front Oral Ralph Okeley, age 29, a war veteran of the world war, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Okeley, on North Eleventh street, at 10:30 o'clock this morning. Death was due to tuberculosis, which developed as a result of Mr. Okeley being gassed while at the battle front in France. Mr. Okeley enlisted in the army in Ohio. He was a member of Company , 146 machine gun battalion and he took part in several of the major engagements of the war. It was in the battle of Chateau Thierry that Mr. Okeley was gassed. He never fully recovered from the effects of the gas and tuberculosis developed. He went to a government hospital at Dawson Springs, Kentucky, last fall and remained there until about six weeks ago, when the hospital physicians declared his case was incurable. Mr. Okeley was born in Willshire, Ohio, March 19, 1896. He had lived in Decatur since he was about fifteen years old. He was a member of the United Brethren church of this city. On February 24, 1920, he was married to Goldie Burkhead. Surviving are the wife; parents; two brothers, Fred of Fort Wayne, and Herbert, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Smith and Mrs. Florence Rabbitt, both of Decatur, and many other friends and relatives. Funeral services will be held from the United Brethren church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The Rev. B. F. Dotson, pastor of the Unted Brethren church, assisted by Rev. Brown and Rev. Wier, will conduct the services. Burial will be made in the Decatur cemetery. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.