PFC Bernard Otto Schultejans

Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
8 Jan 1945

A Kelly Soldier Killed in Action
Bernard Schultejans Died
in Luxembourg, Dec. 26

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schultejans received word Sunday from War Department that their second son, Pfc. Bernard Schultejans, was killed Dec. 26 in Luxembourg. He had been overseas only a few months and according to recent mail received from him, in action a little more than a month.
Bernard was 20 or 21 and had been in the army about six months. He took his basic graining at Camp Fannin, Texas, and spent a few days furlough with home folks before going overseas. He served in the infantry of the Third Army and wrote his friend, Rev. Father Placidus from the front that activity was plenty hot.
Besides his parents, Bernard is survived by brothers, Theodore, Edwin, Albert and Clarence and two sisters, Bernardine of the home and Annie, employed at the Axtell hospital.
Plans are being made for a memorial mass to be held at St. Bede’s church, Kelly, Monday Jan. 15 at 10 o’clock. The many friends of the Schultejans family extend sincere sympathy in their bereavement.

Courier Tribune
18 Jan 1945

Honor Memory of
A Kelly Soldier

Requiem Mass Monday
for Bernard Schultejans

St. Bede’s church has two gold stars on its service flag in memory of soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country. The first honored Joseph Enneking and the second Bernard Schultejans.
A requiem mass for Pfc. Schultejans, 20, was held at ten o’clock Monday morning in St. Bede’s church. The young man lost his life in action in Luxembourg, December 26, 1944. The pastor, Rev. Father Placidus Keiffer said the mass and delivered the sermon. The flag draped bier rested before the altar. St. Aloysius Sodality of the Kelly parish and Seneca Council 1769, Knights of Columbus, attended the service in a body in respect for their former member.
At the close of the mass a military service was conducted by the members of the Earle W. Taylor Post of the American Legion. Jack R. Houston commanded a four gun salute and S-Sgt. James M. Minor and Pvt. Albert A. Wessel, served as color bearers. Edward R. Levick, Legionnaire, acted on behalf of the United States government, presenting the American flag to Bernard’s parents. Sammy Armstrong blew taps.
Bernard O. Schultejans was born August 25th, 1924 at the family home one-half mile south of Kelly. He was inducted into service May 4, 1944 and received his training at Camp Hood, Texas. The young man was home on furlough in September and went overseas in October. In letters to his parents previous to his death he spoke of having been in France and on German soil but gave his life in Luxembourg. His parents, two sisters, Bernadine and Anna and four brothers, Theodore, Edwin, Albert and Clarence survive.