GEORGE HENAK dies of pneumonia in a hospital in England. Such was the sad message conveyed to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Henak, from the officials at Washington, D. C. The message stated that he gave up his young life on the 29th of September, 1918. His death, although occurring the same day that Gilbert Pavelka was killed in action, was the first to be reported to this city of overseas casualties. George, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Henak, was born on the farm a few miles west of this city May 30, 1893, and had reached his twenty-fifth birthday this spring. His home has always been made on the farm, where he was busily engaged with the farm work, when his summons came to give his services to his country. He responded to the
draft call of last July, leaving Anamosa with the other eighteen boys from this township, the 25th of that month. They were sent to Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia, where the early training was received. From here he was transferred to Camp Merritt, N. J., about the first of September, and on the 14th boarded a transport for overseas. The first stop was made in England, and it was here that he contracted pneumonia which caused his death on the 29th of September as stated above. After his arrival in England the parents received a card from the Government officials announcing his safe arrival, and this was the only word they had received from him until the message was received bearing the sad news of his untimely death. Memorial services for the departed hero were held at the Lutheran church in this city Sunday, November 10th, in charge of the Masonic Lodge, of which he was a member. George, who has given his life for his country, although not on the field of battle, but in no degree less heroic, will be missed in this community where his friends are many, all of whom will forever honor his name, which is represented on our service flag by a golden star. The return of the soldiers from far away fields will be hard indeed for the fond mother, who will be unable to welcome her boy home.

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Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:55:22 MST