 Private Alexander E.J.
Shimkus, twenty-six year old son of Simon
Shimkus, 327 North Seminary street, stationed at
Camp Campbell, Ky., was killed in an automobile
crash last Sunday morning near Clarksville,
Tenn., when the car which he was driving
side-swiped a truck. With him in the automobile
were Miss Anne Russ of Central City, Ky., who was
also killed instantly, and another unidentified
couple who miraculously escaped injury. Shimkus
and the girl both died of fractured skulls. The
two occupants of the truck suffered fractured
legs.Shimkus,
a member of the United States Field Artillery,
had been in the army for four years. He was born
in Collinsville on November 26, 1917, and lived
all of life here before going into the service.
He was a graduate of the SS. Peter and Paul
Catholic school, and before his enlistment was
employed at Swift and Company.
The body was
brought here Tuesday afternoon for burial, and
the funeral services will be conducted this
morning at 8:30 from the Kassly Funeral Home to
SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church for a requiem
mass at 9 o’clock, Rev. B.N. Manning
officiating. The funeral will be military, with
soldiers from Scott Field acting as pallbearers
and firing squad.
He is survived by
his father Simon Shimkus, six sisters, Misses
Marcella, Sylvia, Magdalene and Louise Shimkus of
Collinsville, Mrs. Tillie Gentsch of Belleville,
Mrs. Helen Sherman of East St. Louis, three
brothers, S/Sgt. Simon Shimkus with the U.S. Army
in the Mediterranean area, Pvt. John Shimkus,
March Field, Calif. and Frank Shimkus of
Collinsville. His mother died in 1929.
Simon Shimkus,
known as Sam, was wounded a few months ago.
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Private
Shimkus
