The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-06-09
HOLD FUNERALS
FOR WAR HEROES
BODIES OF REX WILEY AND
FRANK PIKE RETURNED
FROM FRANCE
AMERICAN LEGION MARCH N UNIFORM
Sunday Afternoon in Bookings Was
Given over to Honor Their
Heroic Sacrifice.

A serious reminder Of the awful sac.
rihces Of the World war was brought
home to Bookings people Sunday
when two military funerals took place
over the remains Of two soldiers who
gave up their lives in France, whose
bodies were returned to the United
States for burial. The first was for
Rex Wiley, husband Of Mrs. Eva o.
Pease Wiley OF this city, and the
second was for Frank Pike Of Aurora.
The Orr Hoffman post of the American
Legion Of Brookings was in charge
OF both funerals and the members in
full uniform marched as military es-
cort Of the two funeral professions.
Although nearly three years has
elapsed since the wal claimed the lives
Of these two young men, the flag
draped caskets with their military es-
corts in uniform and the marching
ranks of the American Legion brought
back wildly the many sacrifices of
those tragic days when our American
poyo "OlC Oily hCiAh Wy thSiF ANSo
on the altar of patriotism by the hun
dreds.
The funeral services of Rex Wiley
were held in the Methodist church at
200 p. m, the Rev. r. c. Keagy ofiici-
ating. He paid a magnificent tribute
to the fallen soldier that was stricken
with the dread influenza on his first
trip to the front while attached to a
supply train. His home was at Lyons,
Neb., and the body was shipped there
for burial.
The funeral services for Frank Pike
were held in the Methodist church at
Aurora. The Rev. r. c. Keagy deliv-
cred a fine funeral address and then
accompanied by one of the longest fun
eral professions ever seen in the coun-
~, the body vas taken tC Brookings
for burial in Greenwood cemetery. The
American Legion met the procession on
Sixth street and marched at the head
to the end of Main street. They were
taken in automobiles from there to the
cemetery for the final ceremonies. The
services at the grave were simple but
impressive. Following the reading Of
the ritual by Rev. Keagy, the Legion
firing squad fired a salute of three
rounds and the bugler blew taps.
Rex Wayland Wiley was born De-
cember 10, 1892, at Woodbine, la. In
1904 he moved with his parents to
Pender, Neb., finally locating with the
family at Lyons, Neb. For one year
preceding his call to the army he was
in Yellowstone park.
On June IS, 1918, he was married
to Eva o. Pease Of Brookings, S. D.,
formerly of Lyons, Neb., also.
After being indicted into service
he started for eastern training camps
August IL, 1918, and after reaching
France was attached to the 313th Sup
ply Train. Upon his first trip to the
front he was smitten with the dreaded
influenza, dieing two weeks later, on
October II, 1918, at Fontain, and buried
at Hericourt.
Rex Wiley was generally blessed
with a heart of good cheer, his optim-
istic nature ever radiating kindness
and unselfshness. One year before en-
tering the army he confessed his faith
in Jesus Christ and pledged himself
a soldier for his Lord as well as for
his country. He was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church at
Lyons, Neb.
Mourning his death and his heroic
sacrifice upon the altar of his country
are his wife, his father and mother,
three brothers and four sisters.
Frank A. Pike was born February
IA, 1892, at Muscatine county, Iowa.
He attended school a. Nicols, Ia, fin.
ishing his education at the Business
college at Iowa City. He moved to
Wisconsin with his parents, later to
Aurora, s.. d., where he was engaged
in the hardware business with his
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