Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans

Earl Dowell Werts was born in Marion, Ohio, in February 1896. His parents were James Whitfield Werts & Gertrude D. (Carr) Werts. Earl D. Werts attended school in Marion and was employed as a window trimmer at the Jenner store and also worked for the Wells Fargo Express.
Earl D. Werts was drafted in July of 1918, and went to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe. He remained at Camp Sherman and was a Corporal with the Provost Guard. Werts would become ill with the Spanish Flu while at Camp Sherman and succumbed to the illness on 5 October 1918.
Corporal Earl D. Werts is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

From The Marion Daily Star dated 10-7-1918

EARL DOWELL WERTS
DIES FROM INFLUENZA

Marion Soldier Dies at Camp
Sherman Saturday.

Employed for Several Years as
Window Trimmer at the
Jenner Store.

Earl Dowell Werts died Saturday night at 10:45 o’clock at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe. Death was due to Spanish influenza. Two weeks ago today the young man returned to camp, after a few days’ furlough spent with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Werts, who reside at 274 Edwards street. He was in the best of health at that time.
Young Werts was twenty-two years old last February. He was a member of the provost guard, having left Marion in the July draft. He was incapacitated for overseas duty.
The young man was born in Marion and attended the Marion public schools. For several years he was employed as window trimmer at the Jenner store, on west Center street. At the time of leaving for Camp Sherman young Werts was employed by the Wells Fargo Express company, running between Salamanca and Chicago.
Member of Wesley Church.
The young man was a member of Wesley M. E. church. He was also a member of the Marion Lodge of Elks and was well known throughout the city. His parents were notified of his dangerous illness and they went to Camp Sherman Friday, remaining with their son until he passed away. The remains arrived in Marion Monday morning at 10 o’clock and were taken to the home of the parents on Edwards street. Corporal Wiley S. Young accompanied the body to Marion. Besides the parents there are surviving three brothers, Claude S. Werts, of South Prospect street, Floyd and Roslyn Werts and Miss Audrey Werts, who reside at home.