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South Bend Tribune, September, 1944
Telegram Turns V-Mail Joy To Grief in Rodibaugh Home
The relief that Mr. and Mrs. Ralph L. Rodibaugh, 726 East Broadway, felt last
Wednesday when they received three V-mail letters from their son, Private George R. Rodibaugh in France turned
to grief Sunday when the war department notified them of his death Sept. 8 of wounds suffered in action.
The letters, first received from him in several weeks, were written Sept. 3 and 4 and in them the 22-year-old
soldier who had been in France just a month, expressed the hope that Germany would capitulate before another month
ended. "I forgot to tell you," he also wrote. "that there was no deduction for my bonds in July
but the $18.15 deduction started with my August pay."
Private Rodibaugh was born in South Bend an would have been 23 years old Sept 14. He was graduated from Riley
High school in 1939 and later from North Central college at Naperville, Ill. He enlisted in the service in September,
1942, and on Feb 1, 19143 was enrolled in the army special training program at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Exactly one year later, when the army discontinued the program he was transferred to the infantry and was sent
to England last July 2. He arrived in France Aug. 1 and from then on was at the front until his death.
In addition to his parents he is survived by a sister, Mrs. James E. Singleton, 622 East Broadway, and two brothers,
First Lieut. Robert K. Rodibaugh, Fort Knox, Ky., and James E. Rodibaugh, a V-12 seaman at lowa State college Ames
Ia.. Private Rodibaugh was engaged to marry Miss Mary Jane Stern of Chicago, formerly a schoolmate at North Central
college and now a senior in the University of Illinois medical school.
The young man was a member of the Broadway Evangelical church.
South Bend Tribune, Nov 7, 1948
The body of Private George R. Rodibaugh, son of Mr. Ralph L. Rodibaugh, 726 E Broadway, who died of wounds suffered
in action in France Sept 8, 1944, will be brought to South Bend for reburial The body will be taken to the Forest
G. Hay funeral home where friends may call until Wednesday noon. Graveside services with military honors wilI
be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday in St Joseph Valley Memorial park. Rev. Wilson S. Parks, pastor of Broadway United
Brethren Church will officiate. Chapter No. 6, Disabled American Veterans will be in charge of the military
rites.
Private Rodibaugh was born here Sept. 14, 1921 and lived in this city all hislife. He was graduated from Riley
High school in 1939 and later from North Central college at Naperville, Ill. He
enlisted in the army in September, 1942, and was enrolled on Feb 1, 1943 in the army specialized
training program at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. On Feb. 1, 1944, he was transferred to the antry and went
to England in July 1944. He arrived in France Aug. 1, 1944, and was in action until his death.
In addition to his parents he is survived by a sister, Mrs. James E. Singleton, and two brothers, Robert K.
and James E. Rodibaugh, all of South Bend. He was a member of the Broadway Evangelical United Brethren church.