Anthony William "Bill" Jonelis
- Mrs. Lee of our local draft board informs us that names of draftees will not be published until after induction. However, some names have unofficially reached our desk. Fellows called to report in Indianapolis for examination day, are Gilbert Dewes, who has since his call, enlisted in the air corps, Bill Jonelis, Homer Allie, Ed Ceiga, and Jack Riggs.
from The Lowell Tribune, Sept. 21, 1950, page 2, column 1:
- Bill Jonelis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis of Prairie avenue, who was inducted into the army on Monday, September 11th, was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., separation center but has no mailing address as yet.
from The Lowell Tribune, Nov. 2, 1950, page 2, column 1:
- Pvt. Bill Jonelis, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, spent Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis. Sunday evening Mr. Jonelis motored Bill back to Fort Knox.
from The Lowell Tribune, Nov. 16, 1950, page 5, column 4:
- Pvt. Bill Jonelis, stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky., spent the week-end at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis and on Sunday attended the wedding of his brother Robert to Miss Pat Trump which occurred in Chicago.
from The Lowell Tribune, Nov. 30, 1950, page 5, column 6:
- Bill Jonelis, who is stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., spent the week-end at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis.
from The Lowell Tribune, Dec. 28, 1950, page 1, column 2:
- . . . Home for Sunday and Christmas day were Bill Jonelis, Kenneth Hardin, Jack King, David Keithley and Joe O'Dea, all of Ft. Knox, Ky., and Ed Ceiga of Camp Atterbury. . . .
The following January 18, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- Honoring William "Bill" Jonelis, who is home on furlough from Ft. Knox, Ky., Miss Joan Ott of Cedar Lake entertained at a surprise dinner party Monday evening. Guests included Bill's father, Anthony Jonelis of Lowell, his uncle, Rev. Stanley Jonelis of Chicago and his cousin, Rev. John Malin also of Chicago, and Rev. E.M. Boney of Lowell.
The following January 25, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:
ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT OF MISS JOAN OTT TO A.WILLIAM JONELIS
Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Ott of Cedar Lake are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Joan Doloros to A.W. "Bill" Jonelis, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Jonelis, Lowell.On January 17th the couple was honored at a family dinner party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jonelis on Prairie avenue. The occasion, which marked the happy event of the popular couple's engagement, was also a farewell party for Bill, as he was leaving on the 19th for Fort Laughton, Washington.
Miss Ott was reared in Chicago Heights, Ill., graduating from St. Agnes school. She attended business college in Chicago and is now employed as bookkeeper-cashier at the A & P Super Market in Chicago Heights. For the past four years she has resided at Cedar Lake with her parents and sister, Jean.
Mr. Jonelis attended school in Chicago and since his graduation from Lowell high school, has been an employee of the Illinois Bell Telephone company until entering the armed service in September. Bill was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for his basic training.
No definite date has been set for the wedding.
The following February 8, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
- Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis received a cablegram Monday from their son, William, informing them of his safe arrival in Japan. "Bill" who is with the army, recently completed his training at Fort Knox. Ky.
The following March 1, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 4:
- Bill Jonelis who has been in Korea since February 12, sends greetings to Lowell friends. He would welcome letters. Address: Pvt. Anthony W. Jonelis. U.S. 55030419, 8th Army Rep. Ctr., APO 613, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California.
The following March 8, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 2:
- In a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis, Bill sends a change of address, consequent to his transfer to Korea. Bill will be pleased to receive cards from friends back home. Address: Pvt. A.W. Jonelis, 55030419, 2nd Rep. Co., 2nd Inf. Div., APO 248 c/o P.M., San Francisco, California.
The following August 16, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:
- Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis receive mail regularly from their son, Bill, who is with the reconnaissance troops on the Korean battle front. Bill tells of the high humidity and temperature. The boys are kept very busy and have little time to write but certainly look forward to receiving cards and letters from friends back home. Bill's address follows: Pfc. Anthony W. Jonelis 55030419 2nd Recon. Co., 2nd Inf. Div, APO 248 c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
This August 30, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found page 1, column 5:
Pfc. Jonelis Telephones from Asaka, Japan
Joan Ott of Cedar Lake received a telephone call from her fiancé, Pfc. A.W. Jonelis, who is on rest and recuperation at Asaka, Japan, for five days, after which he will return to Korea. Notice of the telephone call came at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday but was not completed until 1:30 a.m. on Monday.Purpose of the call was to assure her of his well being and to wish Joan a happy birthday.
They talked for eight minutes and he told her he would be home (on rotation) in November according to latest reports.
The following October 18, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- News comes but seldom from Lowell's soldiers at Hearbreak hill. While we fervently pray for their safety, theses boys defend their lives in vicious bayonet battles against surge after surge of Chinese. Bill Jonelis tells of battling 15 days before being relieved of his mortar so he could relax and wash up. Dave Keithley, Bud Gerner, and Dick Uhter have also been on the battlefront for a long time, as are other boys of the area.
Although they haven't time to answer, keep your letters and cards going in their direction.
This January 31, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 3:
- Anthony "Bill" Jonelis arrived last Tuesday afternoon at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis, concluding a year of service in Korea with the reconnaissance troops of the second infantry division. Bill has been awarded battle stars for his outstanding performance as an operator of heavy field artillery in action on the battlefront. Bill will receive further assignment at the expiration of his 30-day furlough, but expects his discharge from the army in September when he will return to his position, which awaits him, with the Illinois Bell Telephone Co., where, prior to his call to service, he has been employed since his graduation from Lowell high school in '44.
David G. Keithley, son of George Keithley, was among the 3227 rotation troops which arrived in Seattle this week aboard the navy transport R.L. Howze.
Bill and Dave were inducted on the same day, received basic training at Ft. Knox and went to Korea together. Dave's return was delayed due to injury (a broken nose) sustained playing football behind the front lines when granted a few days rest from battle.
The safe return of Bill and Dave, who were the recipients of Divine watchfulness through our daily prayers, brings gladness to the entire community.
The following February 28, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:
- The 30 days of rest granted Bill Jonelis following approximately a year spent on the Korean battlefront where he participated in mortar shell fire, ended last Friday and he returned to Camp Atterbury, Indianapolis, to receive further assignment. While at home Bill was guest of honor at a birthday dinner party at which his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jonelis entertained. Guests included Bill's fiancée, Miss Joan Ott of Cedar Lake, Jack Jonelis and Miss Maryam Bordan of Indianapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wetherton of Lansing, Ill., and Mrs. Ed Ceiga. On Thursday evening Miss Ott and Mrs. Isabell Percy were dinner guests.