Rupert George Hineline, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline, pioneer residents of DeSoto, Nebraska, was born in DeSoto February 26, 1893.

He answered the call to the colors in the late World War entering the service at Blair, Nebraska, in September 18, 1917, leaving the United States for service in the front lines February 10, 1918. He served with distinction in the Mechanical Auto Division Company K, 355th Infantry, being promoted from the ranks first to rank of Corporal and later that of Sergeant. After fourteen months of active services abroad he returned to the United States June 8, 1919, was honorable discharged and returned home to Blair July 4, 1919.

He was married to Miss Mary Schmidt at Glenville, Nebraska, January 25, 1920. They settled in Blair where he followed the vocation of mechanic in which he was an expert.

He believed intensely in Americanism. He became a member of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and was loyal to his principles as he understood them.

He met death in an accident while at work April 28, 1927, at 5:40 p.m. at the age of 34 years, 2 months and 2 days. Quiet and unassuming, he was devoted to his work, his friend and his country, speaking ill of none, a loyal son and loving husband. His untimely passing leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his departure and to hope for a happy reunion in a better world.

The surviving relatives are his wife, Mary Smith Hineline of Blair; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline of Bellevue, Nebraska; his aged grandmother, Mrs. John Gutschow of Little Falls, Minnesota; three sisters, Mrs. Theodore Klabund of Blair, Mrs. Edith Michelsen of Florence, Nebraska, and Mrs. L. L. Parkening of Detroit, Michigan; and two brothers, Clarence and George of Bellevue, Nebraska.

The funeral service was held Sunday, May 1st at 2:oo p.m., at the First Methodist Church in Blair, the pastor Rev. Carl Badter officiating. Prayer was offered by Rev. W. H. Underwood representing the servicemen. Music was furnished by Mrs. Ethel Mead, Mrs. J. P. Jensen, Don C. Van Deusen and J.D. Spelman; Mrs. Gertrude Mead accompanist. The American Legion Post was in charge of the military burial at the Blair Cemetery. Representatives of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion and of the Ku Klux Klan Blair No. 117 had reserved seats at the church and escorted the body to the cemetery.

#2-5 May, 1927 - The Tribune

BLAIR MAN IS KILLED WHILE WELDING TANK

Rupert Hineline Killed When Gasoline Tank Explodes While He is at Work

MANY ATTEND FUNERAL

Last Rites Held Sunday and Are Largely Attended

A tragic accident occurred last Thursday afternoon when Rupert Hineline of this city was fatally injured in the garage of his home on north Walker Avenue. He was an expert mechanic by trade and had been engaged in soldering an empty gasoline tank with an acetylene torch when suddenly the tank exploded, hurling the top of the tank into the air and tearing a part of Hineline’s face away. He was not rendered unconscious by the force of the explosion and was hurriedly taken to the hospital where medical attention was given him in vain and he died at 5:45 several hours after the accident.

The deceased was born February 26, 1893 at DeSoto and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline, pioneer residents of Washington county. He lived with his parents until in 1917 when he entered the service where he served with distinction in the mechanical auto division with the 355th Infantry. He saw fourteen months of active service abroad and in 1919 was returned to the United States where on the 4th of July of that year he was given an honorable discharge after which he returned to Blair. During the war he was first made corporal and at the time of his discharge he had reached the rank of sergeant.

On January 26, 1920 he was married to Miss Mary Smith at Winslow, Nebraska, after which the couple moved to this city where he followed the vocation of a mechanic. Quiet and unassuming and devoted to his work, the deceased made many friends in this community where his departure will be greatly missed.

He leaves to mourn his loss, besides his wife, his bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline, now of Bellevue, Nebraska; two brothers, Clarence and George Hineline, also of Bellevue; and three sisters, Mrs. Theodore Klauunde of this city, Mrs. Edith Michelson of Florence and Mrs. L. L. Parkening of Detroit, Michigan.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the Methodist church in this city, Rev. Carl Bader officiating, being ably assisted by Rev. W. H. Underwood who represented the service men. Special music for the occasion was furnished by a quartette composed of D. C. VanDeusen, J. B. Spellman, Mrs. J. P. Jensen and Miss Ethel Mead, who were accompanied by Miss Gertrude Mead at the pipe organ and Mrs. Frank Stewart on the violin.

The body was laid to rest in the Blair cemetery with the members of the American Legion in charge of the ceremony at the grave. Representatives of the Women’s auxiliary of the American Legion escorted the body to the cemetery.

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

Note: there were two identical obituaries, one in the May 4, 1927 Pilot, and the other in the May 5, 1927 Enterprise