Arlington Heights funeral home, priest helping bury 3 unclaimed veterans

The remains of three unclaimed veterans will be laid to rest next week with help from Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Heights.

Army veteran Joseph M. Nevern, who died in 2001, Army veteran Jerry D. Lowe, who died in 2007, and Navy veteran George Edward Kratt, who died in 1983, had gone unclaimed for years, but now will be interned with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood on June 24.

Glueckert Funeral Home took it upon itself to arrange for the memorial.

“Veterans services have always been a priority for the Glueckert family, and where we can provide assistance in helping to ensure a veteran receives the full earned benefits of their service, we will always do our best to help,” Jackie Glueckert said.

The Rev. Matt Foley of St. James parish in Arlington Heights — himself a veteran who served four tours of duty in Afghanistan as a U.S. Army Chaplain — will preside over the committal ceremonies.

Veterans, active service members, their families and members of the public are invited to the ceremonies to celebrate the lives and service of Nevern, Kratt and Lowe. The services begin at 12:30 p.m. at the national cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Road, in Elwood.

“We never know the circumstances surrounding why the remains of a person may go unclaimed. In these particular circumstances, we do know that these gentlemen served their country and have earned the right and privilege to be honored by their branch of the military and all Americans, and their final place of rest be in a national cemetery,” Glueckert said.

The Glueckert family also organizes an annual trip to the Elwood cemetery for veterans to help them learn about the benefits they are entitled to upon death.