West Union Argo-Gazette

West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa

 July 27, 1921

BURIAL OF A SOLDIER

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Le Verne Belding Body is Brought

From France to Waucoma For Military Funeral Sunday
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Waucoma, July 25 - After lying for three years beneath the soil of France, where he had died from wounds, the body of Le Verne Belding, son of Dr. and Mrs. H.H. Belding, was returned to be interred Sunday in the cemetery at Waucoma, his home town, from whence he so gallantly departed in the spring of 1917.  Silently and reverently many hundreds of people gathered to honor one who lived up to all traditions of the American army.  The funeral services were under the auspices of the Belding-Fox-Slagle post, American Legion, ritualistic and military.  The casket enveloped in Old Glory, was borne by Comrades Stribley, Sallsman, Marron, Roberts, Willis, and Olafson.  Rev. W.H. Gifford chose as his text I Cor. 15, comparing the life of Paul to our brave boys, who so resolutely and courageously said, "Here am I, take me."  Only those who fought with them will ever know the heights of religious devotion to which they rose in a cause well nigh lost.  Capt. Beardsley of Charles City, the deceased's first captain, present to pay a last duty, spoke affectionately of Le Verne's bravery, willingness, and scorn of a coward.  Courage, patience, and fortitude marked his brief hospital record, and he died as an American soldier, not afraid.  The rendition of "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" by the Legion quartet concluded the service at the park, after which the remains were conveyed to the last resting place.  Last farewells were sounded and Le Verne L. Belding lies by his ancestors enshrined in the hearts of his countrymen, beneath a banner unsullied and triumphant.

[Submitter note: The given name Lavern is misspelled throughout the obituary.  It has been corrected after verification, to show the correct given name spelling is Le Verne.]