KELCHNER, EVAN R.

Memorial services for Corporal Evan Robert Kelchner were held in the Ayrshire Methodist Church at 3 o’clock last Sunday afternoon, June 3. Corporal Kelchner, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Kelchner of Ruthven, was killed in action on Okinawa Island on April 15th [1945], and was buried in the Sixth Marine Division Cemetery on Okinawa.

He was born March 25, 1925, in Booth Township, Palo Alto County, Iowa.

Cpl. Kelchner enlisted in the U.S. Marines on November 10, 1942, and received his training at San Diego, California. In April, 1943, he went overseas as a Marine Raider and was active in many campaigns in the Solomons. In January, 1944, the Raider battalions were made a part of the Fourth Marine Regiment and last summer this regiment joined the First Marine Provisional Brigade and took part in the battle for Guam. In September, 1944, the Sixth Marine Division was formed on the field and the brigade was put into this division. On April [1] the division invaded Okinawa.

Cpl. Kelchner graduated from the Ayrshire High School in 1942 and he was a member of the Ayrshire Methodist Church.

Cpl. Kelchner had never been given a furlough since enlisting in the Marines and he was looking forward to returning to the states on a furlough this summer.

He is survived by his parents and two sisters, Elaine and Roberta.