Person:Norbert Ryan (1)

Norbert was baptised by Rev. F. X. Labote. His sponsors were Maurice Girardot and Ellen Ryan.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in the spring of 1918. He was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago, Illinois.

He died of influenza at the Naval Base Hospital in North Chicago. He was 18 years, 6 months and 19 days old when he died.

Norbert's obituary reads, "RYAN LAID TO REST. With a military salute of rifle fire and the sounding of final taps, the mortal remains to Seaman Norbert Joseph Ryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ryan, who died as a result of influenza at the Great Lakes naval training station, were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at Besancon. Funeral services were conducted at 9 o'clock at the family home at Gar Creek. The funeral cortege was met at the gates of the graveyeard by a detachment of the local militia companies who officiated as guard of honor and honorary firing squad. Flag and ritualistic services were also conducted at the grave by Stirk circle No. 18, Ladies of the G.A.R., and the G.A.R. veteran bodies." [Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Monday 21 Oct 1918, pg. 2]

He is buried at Besancon Cemetery at the St. Louis Catholic Church in New Haven, Indiana.

1.   Birth Record, in Indiana Births, 1880-1920
   H-6, 126, 27 May 1900.

   Ancestry.com

2.   War Record, in Indiana Gold Star Honor Roll, 1914-18
   34, 14 Oct 1918.

   Ancestry.com

3.   Death Record, in U. S. Naval Deaths, World War I
   16 Oct 1918.

   Ancestry.com