Lawrence Spence, veteran of two wars, dead at 98

Source : Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, IN, Wednesday, March 29, 1961, p. 1

Lawrence Spence, veteran of two wars and oldest Legionnaire in the state of Indiana, died Tuesday at Veterans Hospital, Indianapolis, after a short illness. He was 98.

A retired sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he served for 30 years, he was a veteran of the Spanish-American and World War I. He resided at 214 West Monroe St. for the past 41 years.

He was born in Madison County Jan. 18, 1863, the son of Suzan Berry and Thomas Spence. He was married Sept. 24, 1920, to Jessie Pennisten, who died in 1948.

Surviving are three nieces: Mrs. Muriel Wright of Alexandria, Mrs. Molly Wilkerson of Louisville, Ky. and Mrs. Dora Dunmeyer of Portland; one nephew, Charles Brammel of Fortville; and two great-nephews, Clay Disbennett of Norman, and Clarence Henshew of Indianapolis.

The body was taken to the Karl M. Kyle Funeral Home, where friends may call after 6 p.m. today. Services will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Thursday by the Rev. Herschel Reed of the First Christian Church. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Commander Sam Allen of the American Legion requests that all Legionnaires meet at the Legion at 7:30 this evening before going to the funeral home to pay their respects.

(I received this copy of the obituary courtesy of cousin Charles High of Anderson.)