UNIT: 750th Railway Operating Battalion RANK: Sergeant BORN: May 31, 1911 WHERE: Edinburg, Christian Co.

, IL DIED: January 12, 1945 WHERE: Unknown CAUSE OF DEATH: Killed in Action During the Battle of the Bulge BURIED: Edinburg City Cemetery MARKER: Military

Collinsville Herald February 9, 1945

Provided by Gene Beals (2007)

Sgt. Marion Vancil Died on January 12 In European Field

Wire Does Not Reveal Country Believed In Combat Sgt. Marion E. Vancil, wife of Mrs. Irene Vancil, 308 South Morrison and son of Mr. and Mrs. I. Vancil, 606 Burroughs Avenue, died on January 12, somewhere in the European Theatre of action according to a telegram received by relatives last Thursday, February 1. The message did not state that he was killed in action, but it is known that he was close to the German border presumably engaged in combat with his railway battalion. Sgt Vancil was born in Edinburg, Illinois, thirty three years ago, and later lived in Taylorville where he attended school. He graduated from Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois after completion of his high school term. He was in business in Taylorville and Decatur for many years, and during past Christmas seasons, assisted in the Butterfield Jewelry Store here, where his wife is now employed. Vancil received his basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and was given advanced training at Camp Plache, New Orleans and Camp Thomas A. Scott at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He arrived in France during the early part of November 1944, after eleven months in the Armed Forces. Besides his wife, formerly Irene Hill of Taylorville, and parents, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Homer J. Butterfield, and Mrs. I.J. Fink, Richland, Washington, and a brother, Leslie I. Vancil, Long Beach, California.
Note: Headstone photo taken & contributed by Sharon Tate.