Lester KETTENRING - Kansas>Nebraska 1897-1919
Phillips, Nebraska; Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1919:
Lester Kettenring born March 22nd, 1897 near Cawkee City, Kansas. Died at Phillips, Neb., December 1st, 1919, aged 22 years, 8 months, 9 days.
The deceased spent the early part of his life in Kansas, coming to Nebraska in July 1911. With the exception of the 2 years he was in the army, he spent the past 8 years of his life near Phillips, Neb., where he made his home with his sister, Mrs. O. C. WALKER.
Lester enlisted for military service with Company H at Aurora, May 23, 1918, serving in the states with the 5th Nebraska infantry. He received his training at Camps Cody and Dix. On October 11, 1918, he sailed for France where he served as a first class private in the machine gun corps, until he received his discharge Aug. 4, 1919.
Before leaving France, Lester found an unexploded shell on one of the fields of battle, and questioning the danger that might be connected with handling the shell he employed a native of the country to removed the cap in order to make the shell safe to handle. It was the same shell that caused his death.
He had experimented with it repeatedly, and on one occasion had fired a rifle into the shell and from all appearances it was harmless. It was of that order known to military men as a timed explosive and on Monday afternoon about four o'clock while seated in the parlor at the home of his sister, Mrs. O. C. WALKER, the shell exploded in his hands, he doubtless having given the manipulatin device unknowingly the exact turn necessary to cause the explosion. Death came instantly. While the entire construction of the explosive was only a small piece of metal the forces it let loose were almost unmeasurable. Teh large base burner in the home was moved on its base, and missles from the miniature machine crashed through the wasll, windows, doors and even places on the stove. Fortunately, no one other than himself was in the room. Mrs. WALKER was in an adjoining room. She hastened to her brother but life was gone in an instant.
Lester is survived by his mother, Mrs. KETTENRING of Cawkee, Kansas, three sisters, Mrs. O. C. WALKER of Phillips, Mrs. Myrthle SMITH of Giltner, Neb. and Mrs. Austin PRICE of Phillips, and one brother (a twin) of McCook, his father and one brother having preceded him into the life beyond.
The funeral services were conducted from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Owen WALKER, Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. R. B. E. HILL being in charge of the services. Rev. HILL delivered a beautiful message, full of consolation and sympathy. Following the home service five of Lester's comrades bore his body to conveyance in waiting and his remains were taken to Phillips, where arrangements were made for their transportation to Cawkee, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. O. C. WALKER and other relatives accompanying them.
The life of every one who knew Lester has been pained through his untimely death. He was a bright, happy fellow, kind at heart, a young man in fact that was full of promise.
The sympathy of the family's many friends is with them in this sad experience of life.
Kaylynn (no relative, but thought this was worth posting.)