| Comrade Rawson
was Commander of the Dept. Of Illinois, United
Spanish War Veterans in 1948 and again in 1968.
During the latter term his wife, Katherine, was
Dept. Auxiliary president. He is now serving the
second time as junior vice commander. There are
not enough capable comrades to go around in the
Dept. Offices. Those who can serve are used where
needed. Only
60 Spanish War Veterans are left in the entire
state of Illinois.
In the Nelson A.
Miles Camp No. 61 of East. St. Louis, to which
Comrade Rawson has belonged since 1915, there are
four living members.
|
 Orrin G. Rawson, 92,
a member of the dwindling ranks of
Spanish-American War veterans in St. Clair
County, died at John Cochran Veterans
Administration Hospital, St. Louis.Mr.
Rawson, who resided at 3208 Forest Place, East
St. Louis, had been on failing health for six
months and entered the hospital on July 1.
He was an electrical engineer
at the American Zinc Company, Fairmont
City,before his retirement, and was well known
for restoration of antique furniture.
He was serving as National
Senior Vice-Commander for the United Spanish
American War Veterans at the time of his death.
Mr. Rawson was active in the Illinois Historical
Society and the St. Clair County Historical
Society. He was a member of the Olive Branch
Lodge 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of
Danville, Ill., and St. Paul United Methodist
Church, East. St. Louis.
A native of Carbondale, Ill.,
he is survived by his wife, Katharine; a
daughter, Mrs. Theodore Schaefer, 8931 Hillslope
Drive, a son, Dr. Robert O. Rawson, Guilford,
Conn.; a brother, three sisters, six
grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at
2:30 p.m. Saturday from the Kurrus Funeral Home,
Belleville, to Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military honors
will be conducted at the graveside. Friends may
call at the funeral home after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
(Photo Contributed
Dr. Robert O. Rawson)
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