Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
19 Nov 1942

A new address is Pvt. Adrian Rettele, Co. B, 63rd Med. Tng Bn., U.S. Army, Camp Barkeley, Texas. He is the son of Mrs. Theresia Rettele. His wife will remain with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy McCaig, while he is in the service.

Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
7 Dec 1942
Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Rettele are the parents o a six and a fourth pound son, David Adrian, born Thursday, dec. 3, at the home of her parents, Mr. and MRs. Roy McCaig. Mr. Rettele is in the army stationed at Camp Barkeley, Tex.

The Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
29 April 1943

Lose Another in Accident

Pvt. Adrian Rettele

Centralia — Kelly Soldier Killed by Cave-in at Camp Carson, Colo.

Centralia-Correspondent]

Centralia was saddened again Tuesday morning when MRs. Betty Jane Rettele received a message from Camp Carson, Colo., that her husband, Private A Adrian Rettele, had been accidentally killed at Camp Carson Monday afternoon about 4:00 o’clock.

Mrs. Rettele’s father, Roy C. McCaig, phoned to Camp Carson after receiving the message and the telegram was confirmed.

The body was sent home under escort of Adrian’s sergeant, arriving in Topeka at 1:00 Tuesday night, where they were met by Mr. McCaig, W. R. Popkess and W. R. Popkess, Jr., of Sabetha. The body was brought to the Popkess Funeral Home and later taken to the home of his mother, Mrs. Theresia Rettele.

In his telephone conversation, Mr. McCaig was told Adrian had met his death in a cave-in. The sergeant gave the details of the accident. Soldiers were hauling dirt and were on the last load. The bank under which they were working gave way, pinning Adrian and two other boys under the dirt. The shovels were also covered and it was necessary for the other men to dig them out with their hands. The other two were saved. They were found near the front wheel of the truck. Adrian was found by the rear wheel and his position when found showed he heard the cave-in coming but could not get clear before he was hit.

Adrian and his wife are the parents of a little boy, nearing eight months of age. Adrian had never seen his son, born since he had been at Camp Carson. He was looking forward to a furlough which he was expecting to get soon.

A letter came from the chaplain telling of services held at Camp Carson for Adrian Tuesday morning and mass for him Tuesday evening. the chaplain also told of Adrian’s work there, how willing he was to help and how obedient to all demands put upon him. Also, the chaplain knew him personally from his attending church. Another letter came from his major with almost the same information, that he was one of his most willing workers. Adrian was in the medical corps.

His world was bounded by his family and he spent hours writing to his wife, mother, brothers and sisters. Letters coming in Tuesday and Wednesday morning from him made the news of his death almost unbelievable.

Funeral service are being held this Thursday morning from teh Catholic church in Kelly with interment in the cemetery there. Sincere sympathy from the community is extended to the wife and family in their great loss.

The Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
3 May 1943
page 6

Centralia
Adrian J. Rettele
Adrian Jacob Rettele, son of George and Theresia Rusa Rettele, was born May 5th, 1922 in Mitchell Township where he grew to manhood. he had many friends in Centralia, Seneca and Kelly communities. He was called into the service of his country November 6th 1942 and stationed at Camp Barkeley, Texas, for a while, where he was n the Co. B. 63rd Medical Training battalion. From there he was sent to Camp Carson, Colorado, and it was there he met his death by accident April 26th at 4:00 p.m. in the performance of his duty. He was married April 12th, 1942 to Miss Betty June McCaig who, with an infant son, David Adrian, survives him. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. Theresia Rettele, sisters, Louis and Evelyn of he home, Mrs. Margaret Woolsoncroft of Centralia, Mrs. Mary Hand of Sabetha and three brothers all of whom are at home, John, Gerald and Paul James and other relatives and friends who mourn his passing. Funeral services were held at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly Thursday, April 29th with Father Placidus Kieffer offering the Requiem High Mass. The American Legion of Centralia was in charge of he military services at the grave. Burial was n the Centralia cemetery. Casket bearers were Maurice McBratney, Edwin Brokamp, Dale Murdock, Raymond Noland, Francis Zelfer and Allie Hermesch.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to father Placidus, the American Legion, our friends and relatives for the floral offerings, spiritual help, consolation and other acts of kindness given us in the loss of our husband, son and brother. – Mrs. Adrian J Rettele and son, Mrs. Theresia Rettele and family.

From his Find a Grave Memorial (#152058092)
Army Service No. (ASN): #37234435

Adrian J. Rettele is listed as Died Non-Battle in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Nemaha County, Kansas.

With a Medical Battalion. Died during a cave-in at Camp Carson, Colorado.

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, lists his residence as Centralia, Kansas. Contact person listed as Betty June Rettele (Wife) of same address. Employed by Ivan Woolsoncroft, Centralia, Kansas.