PVT Otto W Lepic
US Army
Jun 1918-Nov 1918
Otto was born March 23, 1892 in Chicago to Charles Lepic and Josephine Pova. At the age of three, he and his family moved to Iowa City.
WWI broke out in 1914, the year of his father’s death, but the U.S. didn’t get involved until 1917. Shortly after the war started Otto began working at the Rock Island Arsenal. On June 15, 1918 he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Co. E429 Sup Transportation Corps. He received an honorable discharged on November 30, 1918 with the rank of Pvt. 1C.
Upon returning to Iowa City he resumed his job at the Economy Print Shop. On September 8, 1919 Otto married his best friend’s sister, Bozena “Bessie” Cermak. They had three sons and one daughter. Each of their son’s enlisted during WWII: Otto joined the Air Force, Jaro, the Marines and George, the Navy. It was a rough three years for Otto and Bessie, but in 1945 all three of their sons returned home safe and alive.
He retired from Economy in 1957 and planned to enjoy a little fishing, leisure, gardening, and spend more time with friends. On July 7, 1965 Otto died in the home he lived in since he was three years old in Goosetown at 627 Center Street. He was a member of I.O.O. F. Eureka Lodge 444, Carnation Rebekah Lodge 376, Good Samaritan Encampment No 5, Roy L. Chopek Post 17 of the American Legion, The Veterans of World War I Barracks and CSA.
Locator
