Kenosha, World War II veteran missing for nearly 80 years, to be buried Monday

KENOSHA, Wis. — The remains of a Kenosha soldier who died nearly 80 years ago during World War II will be buried with full military honors Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Casimir Lobacz died during World War II on September 27, 1944 in France.

Two years ago, his remains were finally identified.

“From what I understood and everything I read, all the letters I read, all the pen pals the Army sent, he was a wonderful young man,” Amy said Witt, a Kenosha native.

Witt is one of 20 family members traveling to Arlington this weekend.

His father, Ron Witt, was Casimir's oldest living relative. He received his uncle's medals, including a bronze star and a purple heart.

Ron Witt died last summer.

Casimir was the son of Polish immigrants Kazimierz and Kamila Lobacz, who moved to Kenosha in 1916.

He was the eldest of four children.

“I'd like to think they're all up there, just watching to see what's going on and see the family that's coming to celebrate his life and what he did for our country,” Amy Witt said.

Vietnam veteran John Spencer said the burial would provide closure for the family.

“You have a wanting family that, in the back of their mind, was always nagging them about what happened, where is he,” Spencer said. “And now to get this responsibility and kind of close the book on his life, it just completes the circle of life.”

It’s a day that has been nearly 80 years in the making.

“To bury him in Arlington is the greatest honor anyone could have,” said Vietnam veteran Milt Dean.

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