Age: 21 years, 11 months
RAYMOND JOHN BIELFELDT
DOB: July 24, 1899
Chicago, Cook County, IL, USA
DOD: June 24, 1921
Beecher, Will County, IL, USA
Son of William and Minnie (nee Baumgartner) Bielfeldt
Brother to: Irving J. (Eleanor Brown), William H. Jr. (Angie Ignelzi) Bielfeldt
RAYMOND BIELFELDT SUMMONED BY DEATH
Beecher Herald – June 30, 1921
Raymond John Bielfeldt, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bielfeldt, passed away Friday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock, aged 21 years and 11 months, of tuberculosis.
Deceased was born July 24, 1899 in Chicago. When five years old, he moved with his parents to Beecher. Here he attended public school and grew to manhood.
On December 6, 1917, he enlisted in the navy and served his country during the time of this country’s participation in the World War, and was honorably discharged Sept. 17, 1919, being in the service 21 months. For nine months he was in France and the balance of the time was divided between Washington D.C. and Cuba. While in the service, he contracted tuberculosis, and following his discharge he went to Ottowa to undergo treatment for his ailment at the sanitarium. After four months’ stay there with apparently no benefit, he went to Denver, Colorado, where he spent six months, and from there he went to Ft. Collins, Colorado, and took six months treatment there. Last January, he came back to Beecher, since then his health declined until relieved by the angel of death as above stated.
Besides his parents, Raymond is survived by two brothers, Irving and William, several other relatives and a large circle of friends.
The funeral was held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon from the house to St. Luke’s Church, Rev. G. Horst officiating. Interment was in the Beecher Mausoleum.
BEECHER HERALD – DECEMBER 27, 1917
INTERESTING NAVY LETTER
Raymond Bielfeldt Writes of His Entrance Into the Navy
__________________
Says He Is Not Sorry He Enlisted and Invites Others to Follow Suit
_________________
Below is a very interesting letter from Raymond Bielfeldt, who is now stationed at Camp Perry, Great Lakes Training Station:
Camp Perry Co. H, 5th Regiment, Great Lakes, ILL Dec, 24, 1917
Mr. D.J. Stevens,
Dear Sir: – No doubt you have been thinking about me, wondering how I was getting along and why I didn’t write. Well, I really haven’t had much time to write anything interesting, for I have been on the go most every day since our arrival here.
To begin with, we left Chicago at 1:30 and arrived at the main gate of the Great Lakes Navy Training Station at 3:00, where we were searched for such small articles as cigarettes, liquors and fire arms. I, of course found O.K. with 13 Chicago boys, was stationed at Camp Decatur. That night we were given two large woolen blankets, mattress and cover, and slept on the floor or “deck” of our barracks.
The next day we were given our hammocks and were taught how to string them and arrange our bedding. The hammocks are six feet in the air and have to be mounted with a hop, skip and a jump. (It’s great to see the boys all out when they are dreaming of their sweethearts.)
We “turn in” at 9:00, when all must be quiet, and arise at 5:00, when we must take a “cold shower.” At 5:30 we are ready to “fall in” for a one hour exercise before mess at 7:00.
It’s great the way they feed so many men. There are ten mess attendants to one hall of 150 men and there are two halls of 26 rooms each.
Our next call is at 12:00 and supper at 5:00, so you see we are regular with the “chow”.
After five days at Decatur, we were given our uniforms consisting of two suits of blues, (one dress and one undress), two suits of whites, two suits heavy underwear, two mediums and four R.V.D’s, 12 handkerchiefs, two white hats, one sea going or flat hat, one watch cap, one jersey, two pants, shoes, one pair leggings, one pair woolen gloves, thread, needle, soap and scrub brush- pretty well fixed.
We were then moved to Camp Perry, where I am now stationed, and were we are taught most everything that deals with seaman – drilling, signals, radio, rigging hoisting, etc.
I do not regret that I have joined the seamanship of the U.S. Navy, and may God help me. Tell all the boys to follow – it is a man maker.
That’s about all for this time. Christmas is coming and we expect “good chaw” for that day.
Best regards to all and I wish you and all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Would like to hear from all my friends.
A.S. Raymond J. Bielfeldt, Camp Perry, Co. H. 5th Reg. Great Lakes, ILL.HOME FROM THE SERVICE
Beecher Herald – December 26, 1918
Many of the Boys Arrived to Spend Christmas at Home
Two of Them From France, Others From Camps on This Side
Several Beecher families has a two-fold cause for rejoicing this year aside from the usual festivities – that of knowing the war is over and having their boys safe at home to help observe this great feast day – while others have the assurance of the early return of their sons.
Among those who were home for Christmas are; Morris Van Voorhis, marines, France, 30 day furlough: Raymond Bielfeldt, navy, France, furlough; Herman Hinze, navy, Virginia, furlough; Amos H. Monk, army, Camp Upton, N.Y., discharged; Ernest Going, navy, Great Lakes, discharged; Private Fricke, southern camp, discharged.
Others are expected home soon. Harry Wiechen has landed safely from France and is expected home at any time, while many others are expected to arrive home in the near future.
Raymond’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:
Mother & Father: William Bielfeldt & Minnie D. (Baumgartner) Bielfeldt
Aunt & Uncle: Minnie (Bielfeldt) Thielman & Henry F. Thielman
Cousins: Walter L. Thielman & Paula M. (Kuhlmann) Thielman
2nd Cousin: Loren Walter Thielman
2nd Cousin, Les Thielman’s wife: Dollie Joanne (Johnson) Thielman
Aunt & Uncle: Anna (Bielfeldt) Hack & Henry “Pat” Hack
Great Aunt: Mary (Bielfeldt) Hack
2nd Cousin & Wife: Edmund C. Hack & Margareta (Schwarz) Hack