He served in World War One--Combat

Obituary.
George Elliott Florea was born April 24, 1895, and was killed in battle, somewhere in France, September 27, 1918, at the age of 23 years, 5 months and 3 days. He was in Co. G, 354 Infantry, A. E. F.
He made a profession of religion and joined the M. E. Church at Knox City, Mo., when only 12 years old, and while in training at Camp Funston, in a religious service conducted by the Y. M. C. A., he took a stand more earnestly to serve God. In writing to his pastor, F. J. Young, he said, "Dear Pastor, I just want you to know and I want to tell the people of Knox City that I have made up my mind to serve the Lord more earnestly in the future than I have in the past, and by His help I mean to prove true. And should I die for mmy country, I know my Lord will be there to take me home." When at home with his parents he was always kind and much concerned about their welfare and in writing to them his letters were always cheerful and hopeful.
No better tribute was ever paid anybody than was paid George Elliott Florea, at a certain farm sale, by William Meriwether, when he said, "George Florea was one of the best boys that ever lived in Knkox County." Thus it is that another good soldier boy has given his life for his country. Kind, congenial, hopeful, with siple faith in God, he has died for his country, he has amde vacant a large place in his home, in the church and in the community in which he lived.
This is the record of a life so nobly lived and the triumphant passing of such a life into the realms of just men made perfect, now constitutes a most satisfying comfort to those who mourn.
He leaves to mourn their loss: His parents, Joshua and Margaret E. Florea; six brothers, John Henry, Joshua Franklin, Marvin McConnelly, William Everett, Willis Breedlove, Arthur Winfield; two sisters, Margaret Belle Richardson and Lillie May Goodson. One sister died in 1904. Besides a host of relatives and friends survive. May God comfort them in this their bereavement. — F. J. Young.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri • Thu, Jan 9, 1919, Page 2, Columns 4 & 5

FUNERAL FOR A SOLDIER
Remains of George E. Florea, Killed in France, Re-Interred at Knox City Sunday Afternoon.
The remains of George Elliott Florea, a Knox County soldier of Co. G, 354 Infantry, who was killed in France in the Argonne Forest drive September 27, 1918, and who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Florea, arrived Friday morning at Knox City from Hoboken, N. J., escorted by Corporal Carr of Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. The corpse remained at the local undertaker's until identification took place, when it was removed at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon to the evangelistical tent there now, where the funeral services were held. The tent was filled with people, with a large number standing. Home boys acted as escorts from the undertaker's to the tent, where the crowd joined in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee," which was followed by prayer by Rev. L. M. Cooper.
Prof. Fred Howell, the evangelistic singer, of Co. 25, Camp Bowie, Texas, sang a beautiful solo, "No Night There," and Reverend Cooper preached from the text, "A Devout Soldier," which was followed by a short talk by Rev. F. J. Young of Wayland, Mo., who was the young man's pastor when he was called into service. Reverend and Mrs. Young then sang a duet, the chorus of which was:

"Above the bright blue,
The beautiful blue,
Someone is waiting
For me and for you;
Heaven's above, not far from my home
Beautiful city of gold."

The rain poured and the lights had to be turned on, but at times the sun shone on the flowers and the flag-drapped casket, on which was a picture of the young soldier in his uniform. American Legion members of LaBelle were seated behind the family, with the U. S. flag at half mast, and altogether it was a scene of tenderness and beauty.
The members of the American Legion had charge at the grave, and after prayer by the Chaplain Lieut. Col. J. E. Rieger of Kirksville delivered an address, in which he told the Bible story of Gideon's army and compared our boys who went across the sea with it. He also spoke of the tender letters to dear ones at home.
Three volleys were fired as the casket was lowered into the grave, and the sounding of taps closed the services.
The young man was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was born and reared northeast of Knox City and besides his parents left six brothers, and two sisters: John Henry Florea of Rutledge and Frank, Marvin, Willis, Winfield and Everett Florea of near Knox City, and two sisters, Mrs. Maggie Richardson of Iowa and Mrs. Lillie Goodson of Knox City. One sister, Maude, died a few years ago.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri, June 30, 1921, Page 1, Column 5
(transcribed as printed in newspaper)