Eugene Ray Hesselgrave, World War II CasualtyPorter County Data on World War II Casualties . . . .
Eugene Ray Hesselgrave
CM, 3C, United States Navy
Date of Birth: March 22, 1925, Arago, Hubbard County, Minnesota
Date of Death: September 23, 1946, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Cause of Death: Automobile Accident
Hometown: Valparaiso
Newspaper Notices:
Hold Last Rites For War Veteran, Crash Victim
Memorial services for Eugene Hesselgrave, 21-year-old World War II veteran, who
was fatally injured in a traffic crash on Roosevelt Road Monday, were held at 10
a. m. Thursday at St. Paul's Roman Catholic church, the Rev. Father Francis X.
Guerre officiating.
Pallbearers were James Beach, Donald Mills, Elwood Mull, Robert Vertash, Leslie
Heinhold and Donald Lawrence. Members of Charles Pratt Post, American Legion,
had charge of committal services at the grave in Graceland cemetery.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
September 27, 1946; Volume 20, Number 72, Page 6, Column 5
Crash Injuries Are Fatal To Hesselgrave Youth
Veteran of Pacific War Dies Monday
Plan Memorial Rites Thursday Morning At St. Paul's
Eugene Ray Hesselgrave, 21, 163 McIntyre court, World War II veteran, died at 3
p. m. Monday in Porter Memorial hospital from injuries suffered early Monday
morning when his automobile skidded on the wet pavement on Roosevelt road, near
McCord road, and crashed into a utility pole.
The accident occurred just on the other side of the Valparaiso corporate limits
and did not mar the city's fatality record for 1946. In both 1945 and 1944 the
city received safety awards for not having traffic fatalities.
Young Hesselgrave was a son of Ray and Vera (Hayes) Hesselgrave, and was born in
Arago, Minn., March 22, 1925. He came to Indiana with his parents in 1939. He
attended the LaCrosse high school and was graduated in May, 1943.
In June, 1943, he enlisted in the navy and served in a number of important
battles. He received his discharge Jan. 29, 1946.
Brother a War Casualty
A brother, Lawrence, lost his life in the service in New Guinea.
The decedent resided with his parents and was employed by the Texas Oil company.
He was a member of the Catholic church.
Surviving are the parents; one sister, Mrs. Clara Blanchard, Hubbard, Minn., and
three brothers, Philip, Topeka, Kan., Orval and Donald, Valparaiso.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Roman Catholic
church, with the Rev. Francis X. Guerre officiating. Charles Pratt post,
American Legion, will have charge of committal services at the grave in
Graceland cemetery.
Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 a.m. Thursday
until time of services at the Bartholomew chapel, 102 Monroe street. Wednesday
at 8 p.m. the rosary will be recited at the chapel.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
September 24, 1946; Volume 20, Number 69, Page 1, Column 5
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List of
Porter County World War II Casualties
Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook