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Herman W. Jahnigen, 87, of
Versailles passed away Monday, May 23, 2005 at the Hospitality Hall of
the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville.
He was born in the Cedar Creek community near Osgood on April 22, 1918
the oldest son of Arthur and Clara Diem Jahnigen. He was married to
Thelma Koons on May 3, 1947 and she survives.
Other survivors include one daughter, Jeanne Ison and her husband Jerry
of Milan; grandchildren J.J. Ison of Lawrenceburg, Lauren Ison, and
Nikki Whisman both of Milan; one brother Jerald (Butch) Jahnigen and his
wife Helen of Osgood; two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Black of Holton and Mrs.
Jeraldine Humphrey and her husband Jim of Osgood; his brother-in-law
Walter S. Lowe of Osgood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Clem Jahnigen and
his sister Virginia Lowe. Mr. Jahnigen was a 1937 graduate of Versailles
High School.
He was a veteran of WWII and was Ripley County's most decorated veteran.
He was a member of the 508th Parachute Infantry of the 82nd Airborne
Division and participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy. He also
participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded on June 9, 1944
in the European Theatre. Mr. Jahnigen's citations included the Purple
Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, European Campaign Medal, Victory Medal,
Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, French Fourragére,
Netherlands Citation, and the Normandy, Belgium, French, and American
Defense Medals. On June 27, 1945 he received a battlefield commission
promoting him to Lieutenant.
In civilian life Mr. Jahnigen, along with his wife owned and operated
Jahnigen Dry Cleaners in Versailles from 1947 to 1978. He also worked
for Berkel Electronics in Versailles from 1978 to 1983.
He was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, a former member and
past chief of the Versailles Fire Department, the Milan VFW, and was a
member and past commander of the Versailles American Legion. Mr.
Jahnigen was also a past vice-commander of the American Legion's ninth
district. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 26th at 10:30am at
the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Sandy Becker of
the American Legion officiating. Burial will be in the Cliff Hill
Cemetery in Versailles.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 25th from 4pm to 8pm. Memorials may be
given to the Versailles American Legion or the Cliff Hill Cemetery in
care of the funeral home. |
Grave markers for Herman
W. Jahnigen in the Cliff Hill Cemetery, Versailles (Ripley county),
Indiana.
Herman enlisted in the
Army at Louisville, KY on 18 March 1941 and was assigned to the 507th
PIR.
On 16 October 1942 Sgt
Jahnigen was one of those transferred to the 508rg as members of a cadre
team.
SSgt Jahnigen was
wounded in action on 15 June 1944.
He was discharged on 27
December 1944 to accept a reserve commission as a 2d Lieutenant.
Lieutenant Jahnigen was
seriously injured in action on 28 December 1944. He was discharged
with physical disability at Thayer General Hospital, Nashville, TN
on 7 October 1945. |
