WWI Vet and WWII Vet

Elmer E. Reital was born in St. Joseph, MO on 16 Jul 1899, the son of John A. Reital and Minnie Pugh. He attended law school at Washburn College in Topeka, KS in 1918-?. He was drafted into service in WWI on 1 Nov 1918 at Topeka, KS. He received an Honorable Discharge on 9 Dec 1918. He lived in the family home on 6th Avenue in St. Joseph with parents and several siblings for many years, until 1942 when he was drafted into military service.

After graduation, he became an attorney in St. Joseph, MO, working in the office of Price Shoemaker for many years before retiring. He served as president of the Bar Associatin in St. Joseph for some period of time. He also ran - unsucessfully - for Prosecuting Attorney.

Elmer was an avid outdoorsman, alway eager to go hunting or fishing. He like to listen to classical music, including especially opera from the Met that was broadcast on Saturdays. He was an individual of very high personal integrity and honesty. He seemed to be immune to any personal physical discomfort, whatever the environment, hot or cold.

Sometime during the period of 1942-1945, he married Nell E. Smith, after an extended courtship of several years. They had no children.

Elmer passed away at the Ft. Leavenworth Veterans Administration Center Hospital on 13 Jul 1973. The cause of death listed on his death cert was "Respiratory failure" due to "Pulmonary TBC with extensive involvement."

[Information added 31 Oct 2013 by nephew-by-marriage, James D. (Jack) Quinn.]

Elmer Reital (1899)