"Bud" was the son of Louis Henry Meseke and Mathilda Wilhelmina "Tillie" Willenburg. He was baptized "Carl Horace Otto Meseke" on 10 Nov 1912 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois.
Like his 7 siblings, Bud was raised on the family farm in Calhoun County. He helped his father with the day-to-day operations after his older brothers grew up and moved to St. Louis one by one.
Bud was a favorite of his 11 nephews and nieces because of his playful nature and wonderful sense of humor. He had a talent for finding a way to make everyone laugh at family gatherings and anytime he was around.
Bud was drafted into the army during World War II and reported for duty on 17 Apr 1942. After being stationed at several camps in the states, he was sent to Africa where he was involved in heavy action. Bud was then transferred to Sicily, and then back to Africa for a short time.
When the Allies began their northern push towards Anzio, Bud was again sent to Italy. He was killed in action on 19 Nov 1943.
Bud was survived by his mother and father; 4 brothers, Henry, Louie, George and Oscar Meseke; 3 sisters, Bertha Arnold, Oleta Freand and Freda Robeen; 8 nephews; and 3 nieces. He never married.
At the time of his death, Bud was 31 years, 1 month and 16 days old. He was buried in a military cemetery in Italy.
A memorial stone and service marker were placed in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois next to cemetery lots owned by his parents. His father passed away in 1956, and his mother in 1963.
Bud's siblings:
Henry August "Heinie" Meseke
Louis Albert Carl "Louie" Meseke
George William Meseke
Bertha Marie Meseke Arnold
Oscar Fred Meseke
Oleta Dorothy Meseke Freand
Freda Rose Meseke Robeen
----------
Obituary excerpts:
With profound regret we announce the loss of another of our gallant boys in battle. This time it was our dear friend and neighbor, Pfc. Otto Meseke, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Meseke of Brussels, Ill.
Pfc. Meseke was born at Brussels, October 3, 1912, and met his death on the battlefields of Italy on Nov. 19, 1943, having attained the age of 31 years, 1 month and 16 days.
He was baptized in the St. Matthews Lutheran Church at Brussels and on April 10, 1927, was confirmed in this faith and it was to this belief that he remained faithful up to the time of his death.
Otto was an example of a splendid young Christian man, a man of high character holding the love and respect of all who knew him. One of his most noted virtues was his love and devotion for his dear father and mother with whom he made his home prior to his induction in the army.
Private Meseke entered the service April 17, 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Forrest, Tenn. During his military training in this country he was stationed at the following camps in order: Camp Forrest, Tenn., Camp Edwards, Mass., Fort Brady [sic - it was actually Fort Bragg], N. C., Camp Bradford, Va., and Camp Pickett, Va. After leaving Camp Pickett, his forwarding address was care of Postmaster, New York.
On Nov. 18, 1942 he landed in Africa where he saw heavy fighting with Co. I 36th Engrs. On Aug. 10, 1943 he was shipped to Sicily where he remained for 40 days before being again transferred to Africa. Twenty days later he was transferred to Italy and it was here on Nov. 19, 1943 that he made the supreme sacrifice of giving his life in line of duty that you and I might live to enjoy freedom and the American standard of living. Let his deed be rewarded by our appreciation and by our prayers so that in the near future we may again have "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."
He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved father and mother, four brothers, Henry, Louis, George and Oscar Meseke all of St. Louis, three sisters, Bertha Arnold of Wood River, Oletta Freand of Grafton, and Freda Robeen of Golden Eagle besides a host of relatives and friends.
Many were the prayers that were said for the safe return of dear Otto, but his hour had come, and we know that our prayers were not in vain and that he died in God's grace.
May his soul rest in peace.
—A Relative.
(Calhoun News; Dec 1943)
----------
Note: This memorial is a cenotaph. Please click here to see the memorial for Otto "Bud" Meseke at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy for actual gravesite, more information and additional photographs.
Like his 7 siblings, Bud was raised on the family farm in Calhoun County. He helped his father with the day-to-day operations after his older brothers grew up and moved to St. Louis one by one.
Bud was a favorite of his 11 nephews and nieces because of his playful nature and wonderful sense of humor. He had a talent for finding a way to make everyone laugh at family gatherings and anytime he was around.
Bud was drafted into the army during World War II and reported for duty on 17 Apr 1942. After being stationed at several camps in the states, he was sent to Africa where he was involved in heavy action. Bud was then transferred to Sicily, and then back to Africa for a short time.
When the Allies began their northern push towards Anzio, Bud was again sent to Italy. He was killed in action on 19 Nov 1943.
Bud was survived by his mother and father; 4 brothers, Henry, Louie, George and Oscar Meseke; 3 sisters, Bertha Arnold, Oleta Freand and Freda Robeen; 8 nephews; and 3 nieces. He never married.
At the time of his death, Bud was 31 years, 1 month and 16 days old. He was buried in a military cemetery in Italy.
A memorial stone and service marker were placed in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois next to cemetery lots owned by his parents. His father passed away in 1956, and his mother in 1963.
Bud's siblings:
Henry August "Heinie" Meseke
Louis Albert Carl "Louie" Meseke
George William Meseke
Bertha Marie Meseke Arnold
Oscar Fred Meseke
Oleta Dorothy Meseke Freand
Freda Rose Meseke Robeen
----------
Obituary excerpts:
With profound regret we announce the loss of another of our gallant boys in battle. This time it was our dear friend and neighbor, Pfc. Otto Meseke, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Meseke of Brussels, Ill.
Pfc. Meseke was born at Brussels, October 3, 1912, and met his death on the battlefields of Italy on Nov. 19, 1943, having attained the age of 31 years, 1 month and 16 days.
He was baptized in the St. Matthews Lutheran Church at Brussels and on April 10, 1927, was confirmed in this faith and it was to this belief that he remained faithful up to the time of his death.
Otto was an example of a splendid young Christian man, a man of high character holding the love and respect of all who knew him. One of his most noted virtues was his love and devotion for his dear father and mother with whom he made his home prior to his induction in the army.
Private Meseke entered the service April 17, 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Forrest, Tenn. During his military training in this country he was stationed at the following camps in order: Camp Forrest, Tenn., Camp Edwards, Mass., Fort Brady [sic - it was actually Fort Bragg], N. C., Camp Bradford, Va., and Camp Pickett, Va. After leaving Camp Pickett, his forwarding address was care of Postmaster, New York.
On Nov. 18, 1942 he landed in Africa where he saw heavy fighting with Co. I 36th Engrs. On Aug. 10, 1943 he was shipped to Sicily where he remained for 40 days before being again transferred to Africa. Twenty days later he was transferred to Italy and it was here on Nov. 19, 1943 that he made the supreme sacrifice of giving his life in line of duty that you and I might live to enjoy freedom and the American standard of living. Let his deed be rewarded by our appreciation and by our prayers so that in the near future we may again have "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."
He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved father and mother, four brothers, Henry, Louis, George and Oscar Meseke all of St. Louis, three sisters, Bertha Arnold of Wood River, Oletta Freand of Grafton, and Freda Robeen of Golden Eagle besides a host of relatives and friends.
Many were the prayers that were said for the safe return of dear Otto, but his hour had come, and we know that our prayers were not in vain and that he died in God's grace.
May his soul rest in peace.
—A Relative.
(Calhoun News; Dec 1943)
----------
Note: This memorial is a cenotaph. Please click here to see the memorial for Otto "Bud" Meseke at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy for actual gravesite, more information and additional photographs.
"Bud" was the son of Louis Henry Meseke and Mathilda Wilhelmina "Tillie" Willenburg. He was baptized "Carl Horace Otto Meseke" on 10 Nov 1912 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois.
Like his 7 siblings, Bud was raised on the family farm in Calhoun County. He helped his father with the day-to-day operations after his older brothers grew up and moved to St. Louis one by one.
Bud was a favorite of his 11 nephews and nieces because of his playful nature and wonderful sense of humor. He had a talent for finding a way to make everyone laugh at family gatherings and anytime he was around.
Bud was drafted into the army during World War II and reported for duty on 17 Apr 1942. After being stationed at several camps in the states, he was sent to Africa where he was involved in heavy action. Bud was then transferred to Sicily, and then back to Africa for a short time.
When the Allies began their northern push towards Anzio, Bud was again sent to Italy. He was killed in action on 19 Nov 1943.
Bud was survived by his mother and father; 4 brothers, Henry, Louie, George and Oscar Meseke; 3 sisters, Bertha Arnold, Oleta Freand and Freda Robeen; 8 nephews; and 3 nieces. He never married.
At the time of his death, Bud was 31 years, 1 month and 16 days old. He was buried in a military cemetery in Italy.
A memorial stone and service marker were placed in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois next to cemetery lots owned by his parents. His father passed away in 1956, and his mother in 1963.
Bud's siblings:
Henry August "Heinie" Meseke
Louis Albert Carl "Louie" Meseke
George William Meseke
Bertha Marie Meseke Arnold
Oscar Fred Meseke
Oleta Dorothy Meseke Freand
Freda Rose Meseke Robeen
----------
Obituary excerpts:
With profound regret we announce the loss of another of our gallant boys in battle. This time it was our dear friend and neighbor, Pfc. Otto Meseke, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Meseke of Brussels, Ill.
Pfc. Meseke was born at Brussels, October 3, 1912, and met his death on the battlefields of Italy on Nov. 19, 1943, having attained the age of 31 years, 1 month and 16 days.
He was baptized in the St. Matthews Lutheran Church at Brussels and on April 10, 1927, was confirmed in this faith and it was to this belief that he remained faithful up to the time of his death.
Otto was an example of a splendid young Christian man, a man of high character holding the love and respect of all who knew him. One of his most noted virtues was his love and devotion for his dear father and mother with whom he made his home prior to his induction in the army.
Private Meseke entered the service April 17, 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Forrest, Tenn. During his military training in this country he was stationed at the following camps in order: Camp Forrest, Tenn., Camp Edwards, Mass., Fort Brady [sic - it was actually Fort Bragg], N. C., Camp Bradford, Va., and Camp Pickett, Va. After leaving Camp Pickett, his forwarding address was care of Postmaster, New York.
On Nov. 18, 1942 he landed in Africa where he saw heavy fighting with Co. I 36th Engrs. On Aug. 10, 1943 he was shipped to Sicily where he remained for 40 days before being again transferred to Africa. Twenty days later he was transferred to Italy and it was here on Nov. 19, 1943 that he made the supreme sacrifice of giving his life in line of duty that you and I might live to enjoy freedom and the American standard of living. Let his deed be rewarded by our appreciation and by our prayers so that in the near future we may again have "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."
He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved father and mother, four brothers, Henry, Louis, George and Oscar Meseke all of St. Louis, three sisters, Bertha Arnold of Wood River, Oletta Freand of Grafton, and Freda Robeen of Golden Eagle besides a host of relatives and friends.
Many were the prayers that were said for the safe return of dear Otto, but his hour had come, and we know that our prayers were not in vain and that he died in God's grace.
May his soul rest in peace.
—A Relative.
(Calhoun News; Dec 1943)
----------
Note: This memorial is a cenotaph. Please click here to see the memorial for Otto "Bud" Meseke at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy for actual gravesite, more information and additional photographs.
Like his 7 siblings, Bud was raised on the family farm in Calhoun County. He helped his father with the day-to-day operations after his older brothers grew up and moved to St. Louis one by one.
Bud was a favorite of his 11 nephews and nieces because of his playful nature and wonderful sense of humor. He had a talent for finding a way to make everyone laugh at family gatherings and anytime he was around.
Bud was drafted into the army during World War II and reported for duty on 17 Apr 1942. After being stationed at several camps in the states, he was sent to Africa where he was involved in heavy action. Bud was then transferred to Sicily, and then back to Africa for a short time.
When the Allies began their northern push towards Anzio, Bud was again sent to Italy. He was killed in action on 19 Nov 1943.
Bud was survived by his mother and father; 4 brothers, Henry, Louie, George and Oscar Meseke; 3 sisters, Bertha Arnold, Oleta Freand and Freda Robeen; 8 nephews; and 3 nieces. He never married.
At the time of his death, Bud was 31 years, 1 month and 16 days old. He was buried in a military cemetery in Italy.
A memorial stone and service marker were placed in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois next to cemetery lots owned by his parents. His father passed away in 1956, and his mother in 1963.
Bud's siblings:
Henry August "Heinie" Meseke
Louis Albert Carl "Louie" Meseke
George William Meseke
Bertha Marie Meseke Arnold
Oscar Fred Meseke
Oleta Dorothy Meseke Freand
Freda Rose Meseke Robeen
----------
Obituary excerpts:
With profound regret we announce the loss of another of our gallant boys in battle. This time it was our dear friend and neighbor, Pfc. Otto Meseke, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Meseke of Brussels, Ill.
Pfc. Meseke was born at Brussels, October 3, 1912, and met his death on the battlefields of Italy on Nov. 19, 1943, having attained the age of 31 years, 1 month and 16 days.
He was baptized in the St. Matthews Lutheran Church at Brussels and on April 10, 1927, was confirmed in this faith and it was to this belief that he remained faithful up to the time of his death.
Otto was an example of a splendid young Christian man, a man of high character holding the love and respect of all who knew him. One of his most noted virtues was his love and devotion for his dear father and mother with whom he made his home prior to his induction in the army.
Private Meseke entered the service April 17, 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Forrest, Tenn. During his military training in this country he was stationed at the following camps in order: Camp Forrest, Tenn., Camp Edwards, Mass., Fort Brady [sic - it was actually Fort Bragg], N. C., Camp Bradford, Va., and Camp Pickett, Va. After leaving Camp Pickett, his forwarding address was care of Postmaster, New York.
On Nov. 18, 1942 he landed in Africa where he saw heavy fighting with Co. I 36th Engrs. On Aug. 10, 1943 he was shipped to Sicily where he remained for 40 days before being again transferred to Africa. Twenty days later he was transferred to Italy and it was here on Nov. 19, 1943 that he made the supreme sacrifice of giving his life in line of duty that you and I might live to enjoy freedom and the American standard of living. Let his deed be rewarded by our appreciation and by our prayers so that in the near future we may again have "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."
He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved father and mother, four brothers, Henry, Louis, George and Oscar Meseke all of St. Louis, three sisters, Bertha Arnold of Wood River, Oletta Freand of Grafton, and Freda Robeen of Golden Eagle besides a host of relatives and friends.
Many were the prayers that were said for the safe return of dear Otto, but his hour had come, and we know that our prayers were not in vain and that he died in God's grace.
May his soul rest in peace.
—A Relative.
(Calhoun News; Dec 1943)
----------
Note: This memorial is a cenotaph. Please click here to see the memorial for Otto "Bud" Meseke at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy for actual gravesite, more information and additional photographs.
Inscription
IN MEMORY OF
OUR DEAR SON & BROTHER
PFC OTTO C. MESEKE
CO. 1. 36 ENGRS
BORN OCT. 3, 1912
DIED IN ITALY NOV. 19, 1943
ASLEEP IN JESUS
Gravesite Details
Memorial stone at St. Matthew Cemetery. Actual grave located at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy. Name on tombstone derived from baptismal name (Carl Horace Otto Meseke).
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