Obituary for Earl Milton Collier

Private Earl Milton Collier, 22, was the first man from Johnson County, Kansas, to perish in the first World War. The Olathe American Legion is named in his honor.
Earl was the second son of William and Inez Collier, who lived west of Olathe. His only sibling Harold had died in 1903 at age 9.

Earl was captain of the Olathe High School football team. After graduating with the class of 1915, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago. He was employed as an art editor with Shaw Publishing Co.

He enlisted in the Marines from Chicago, joining the 84th Company, 6th Regiment.

Earl was killed June 6, 1918, as his unit was “subjected to terrific machine gun fire” at Boureches, northwest of Chateau Thierry, France. His parents learned of his death a month later, and a memorial service was held July 14, 1918, in Olathe. His body was interred overseas at Belleau Woods until the war ended. His body arrived by rail, was taken to his parent’s home for five days, then the casket was taken to the courthouse in Olathe for the public to pay their respects.

His funeral was Sept. 18, 1921. Twelve hundred people crowded into the Methodist church for the service, while 800 stood outside.

Sources: Earl Collier death announcement, The Olathe Mirror, 4 Jul 1918, p 1; Earl Collier memorial service, The Olathe Mirror, 18 Jul 1918, p 1; “More News of Earl Collier’s Death,” The Olathe Mirror, 26 Sep 1918, p 7; Earl Collier Funeral, The Olathe Mirror, 22 Sep 1921, p 1.