Rites for Mrs. Robert O’Hanlon Held Wednesday-Was Ill Three Months, Husband In Service At Time of Passing

Rita Joan Foley was born April 23, 1919 to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Foley. She grew to womanhood on the Foley farm south of Blair. She attended Blair High School from which she graduated in 1935. After taking a course at Dana College she taught three years. She was married to Robert O’Hanlon August 28, 1939. Two sons were born to them, Robert Jr., now 3 ½ and Richard, 2 years old. About a year and a half ago the husband was called into service. When he left the wife was apparently in perfect health and they both looked forward with eagerness to the time when he could return to his family and take up his duties as a civilian. But fate decreed it otherwise and when in service in India the sad news reached him of the fatal illness of his wife.

He, after many delays, obtained a leave of absence and came home and was later transferred to a camp near home and then can the chance of a permanent discharge. His leave of absence being up he was called to Topeka, Kansas to await his discharge. As yet the discharge has not come.

He arrived home Monday evening to face his sorrows. The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at ten o’clock at St. Francis Borgia Church in Blair with Fr. Thomas Carmody officiating and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

Beside the grieving husband and two small sons she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Foley of Blair; four sister Mrs. Harry Campbell of Kilgore, Nebr.; Mrs. Leo Hogan of Worthington, Minn., Mrs. C. D. Howard and Mrs. Bernard Reeh both of Blair and a brother, Francis, at home.

The Enterprise and the public of Blair offers deep sympathy to Sgt. O’Hanlon in his great sorrow.

#2 #2 Printed in another Blair newspaper

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Early Death Takes Blair Mother

MRS. O'HANLON WAS ILL SIX MONTHS

Well-Known Blair Woman, 25, Had Spent Entire Lifetime Here; Two Small Sons, Husband, Other Relatives and Friends Mourn

The tragic and untimely death of Mrs. Robert E. O'Hanlon, nee Rita Jo Foley, occurred at Blair hospital on Monday morning. Incurably ill for the past six months, the 25-year-old Blair woman, mother of two small sons, had been bedfast at the hospital since Christmas Day.

A funeral Mass was held at St. Francis Borgia Catholic church Wednesday morning, with Father Thomas Carmody officiating. Burial took place in Holy Cross cemetery.

Pallbearers were George Campbell, John Andreasen, Simon Korshoj, Gordon Vinton, C.G. Halbert and Emory Hunt Jr. Campbell Mortuary was in charge of funeral arrangements.

The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Foley, Mrs. O'Hanlon was born in Blair April 23, 1919, and had made her home here her entire lifetime.

She leaves her husband, Sgt. Robert E. O'Hanlon, and their sons, Robert Jr, 3½, and Richard, 2. Journeying via plane from the China-Burma-India theatre of war, Sgt. O'Hanlon returned to Blair early in Jan. in order to be with his dying wife. He had been sent to Army headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, several days prior to her death, however, and was unable to reach Blair until Monday evening.

Mrs. O'Hanlon also leaves her parents; a brother, Francis Foley of Blair; and four sisters, Mrs. Harry L. Campbell of Kilgore, Nebraska, Mrs. Leo Hogan of Worthington, Minnesota, Mrs. C.D. Howard and Mrs. Bernard Reeh of Blair.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #120694298