Local News Briefs
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waters entertained their son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Waters and Monica, at dinner last Thursday evening, as a farewell for Paul who left Monday to enter military service.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, April 20, 1944, Page 3
Obituaries
PAUL A. WATERS
The price of honor has again taken toll from the ranks of Corning’s beloved fighting sons. A spirit of deep sadness settled over our community when the message came on Monday evening, December 11th, stating Pvt. Paul A. Waters had been killed in action, November 23rd. In this most recent loss of a fine son and father, we are stirred more and more deeply by the conviction that we must prove our worthiness of their great gift to us, -- the gift of their young lives, that we may be safe, and free from the ravages of war.
Paul Augustan Waters was born near Mt. Etna, November 5, 1915, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Waters. In this same community, Paul entered grade school, later moving to Corning with his parents in 1930, and completing high school, graduating with the class of 1933.
On March 1st, 1936, he was united in marriage with Wanita Bohanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Bohanan. Once child, Monica Ann, was born to this union, now aged five years.
For some time Paul assisted his father in the restaurant business and since 1939 has been employed as manager of the Rauch Billiard Parlor. He was employed here when he entered military service on April 18th, 1944. During the latter part of October, he was sent overseas, and early in November moved up to the fighting front. He is reported to have met his death on November 23rd, presumably on the German front lines.
Paul was honest, industrious and friendly, a devoted son and husband, and had endeared himself to all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife and daughter, his parents, one brother, S 1-c Earl Waters, and one sister, Mrs. Robert Seaton, and many other relatives and a host of friends.
Requiem High Mass was sung for the repose of his soul at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning, Monday morning, December 18th, celebrated by the pastor, Rev. M. J. Powers, and sung by Ralph Remy, assisted by Mrs. Florence Lyons. Patriotic services were conducted by the American Legion, immediately after the mass.
Out-of-town relatives who were present for the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Waters, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Berry, and Mr. and Mrs. Emert Berry, all of Creston; Mrs. Laura Daughtery and Verlea of Massena; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cullen, Mr. and Mrs. David Mills, also of Massena; Mrs. A. C. Dodge and Mrs. Grover Dodge of Mt. Etna; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Dodge of Bridgewater; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bross of Atlantic.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, December 21, 1944
Pvt. Paul Waters served in World War II with the 324th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Division. He died Nov. 23, 1944 and is buried in Epinal American Cemetery, Dinoze, France and has a cenotaph in Mount Zion Cemetery, Adams County, IA.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov; fieldsofhonordatabase.com
