52 Ancestors Biography- Paul George Jeckering

This is the second post for Paul. The first one was done in 2014 and didn't have as much information and organization as this one does. You can view the previous post Here.

Paul George Jeckering- my paternal grandfather.

Born; 19 May 1925, Dayton, Ohio

(Paul's mother's maiden name was actually Dabuliewicz by birth, but she was adopted by the Alexinas family, hense the maiden name on Paul's birth certificate)

Paul's parents were Gerhard Cletus Jeckering (1900-1967) and 

                    Josephine Mary Dabuliewicz (1906-1965).

Josephine and Gerhard Jeckering on their Wedding Anniversary 

Paul was the oldest of 6 children. His siblings were/are:

Richard Cletus (1926-2017)

Rita Irene (1928-2015)

Rosemary Emma (1930-2012)

Joann Ethel (Living)

Joseph John (Living)

                Back- Josephine, Gerhard, Paul, Richard

                 Front- Rosemary, Joanne, Rita, Joseph 

Paul was an artist. He was in the school band, he drew and made sculptures. While attending 6th grade at Our Lady of Mercy in Dayton, Ohio, he started attending art classes at the Art Institute. It's there that he built a life-size sculpture of Father Chaminade and donated it to his high school- Chaminade High School. 

 

Paul's life-size figure of Father Chaminade was featured in the school newspaper. Upon completion, he gifted it to the school. However, the school today has no idea what happened to it, which is tragic. 

This picture is from a newspaper article that was printed when Paul was overseas. It shows his mother Josephine and two of the terra-cotta heads that Paul made at the Dayton Art Institute. 

Paul graduated from Chaminade High School in 1944. He had already enlisted in the military in Oct 1943. 

Paul wrote many letters to friends and family while overseas. I own what I believe to be copies. His handwriting is difficult to read! 

This letter is to his address to "Mart", who I can only assume to be his Aunt Mart- 

Martha E. Jeckering (1906-1997). The date is 06 Jun 1946 and he was in Nagoya, Japan at the time.

Paul served in the military until 15 Feb 1946 when he was honorably discharged. 

He served in the Philippines and earned a Philippine liberation metal and a Bronze Star Metal, both of which are buried with him. 

             

                                      Paul is the second from left.

On 02 Aug 1947, Paul married Dorothy Jean Hendricks (1926-2010) I wish I knew how they met.

          

 
Paul and Dorothy had 4 children;
1. Jean Marie (1948-1996)
2. Michael Lee
3. Karla Joanne
4. Paul David (1954-2016)


Sadly, Paul was diagnosed with Lupus in 1948 (according to death certificate). I can imagine that might be why he was discharged from the military 2 years prior. 

This was the last picture of Paul and his family, Christmas 1953.

Paul died of Kidney Failure on 11 Jan 1954 in Dayton, Ohio.He was only 28 years old. Dorothy was pregnant with their 4th child, Paul, who wouldn't be born until April. 

He was buried in Calvary Cemetery
Plot; Section 1, Lot 17, Space 8

Dorothy remarried two years later on 11 Feb 1956 to John Potchik (1926-1988) and they had 4 sons.