Forum: The Final Duty Station

Henry G. "Hank" Jefferson, On March 1, 2010 of Clementon, NJ. Age 61 years. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee Danzi). Loving son of Loretta Jefferson and the late Henry. Devoted father of Hank (Lorraine), Dan (Maria), Andrea Keating, Cali Kremer, Bob Rice (Kimmie), Patti Rice, Joni Ducey (Joe), Michael and Christopher Kruce. Dear brother of Loretta Deeney, Terri LaRue, Mike, and Eddie Jefferson. Proud grandfather of 11. He will be missed by his special cat "Pookie". Hank had 30 years experience on the Magnolia Police Department, retiring in 2000 after 27 years of service as the Chief of Police; he is believed to have been the youngest Police Chief in the State. He served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam, and while Chief of Police he served in the US Army Reserves retiring with the rank of...

George "Cal" Web Cal was born December 19, 1928 in Vinita, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully on February 25, 2010 in Olympia, Washington at the age of 81. He is survived by his loving wife Rosalie; 1 brother; 2 sisters; 12 children; 26 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren. Cal held many jobs in his life, among them working in the oil fields, a tour with the Navy and one with the Marines and working for Tumwater School District. He loved animals, gardening and was a wonderful artist. The viewing will be held on Wednesday March 3 from 12:00-7:00p.m. and a memorial on Thursday March 4 at 1:00p.m. at Mills and Mills. The family will host a get together after the memorial from 3:00p.m. to 5:30p.m. at the Alonda Villa clubhouse on 15th Avenue in...

Wilton Baker, 79, of DeBary, Fla., formerly of Quincy, died Thursday (Feb. 11, 2010). He was born in Quincy to Mace and Florence Baker on July 29, 1930. In 1960 he married Irene Eilers in Golden. During high school he played a bugle with Quincy's Sons of the Legion Drum and Bugle Corps that won the 1946 national championship in San Francisco, Calif. After graduating from Mendon Township High School in 1948, he attended the University of Illinois and then joined the U.S. Marines for three years. He returned to Quincy and the family business, Baker Builders, in 1954. He was a continuous member and past commander of the American Legion Post 823, Mendon. He was also instrumental in bringing a chapter of the National Association of Home Builders to Quincy and served as a president of that...

Melvin (Maggie) Goins, age 72, of Louisville, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 2nd at Blount Memorial Hospital. He attended Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Louisville and was a veteran of the US Marines. He retired with 43 years of service with CSX Railroad. Preceded in death by parents Ed and Mayme Goins; sister Maxine French. Survived by wife of 51 years Mary Katherine Goins; daughter Lora (Wade) Coffey and son Larry Melvin (Kim) Goins and grandson Taylor Cole Goins; two brothers Marvin Goins of Louisville and Bob Goins, Symra, TN; sister Eddie Marie Hicks, Louisville, TN; several nieces and nephews and many friends in the community and the railroad. Funeral service will be held Thursday March 4, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church, 1338 Louisville Rd, Alcoa. The...

Ralph Philip Centola, 63, of Old Lyme, CT, and formerly Farmington, CT, passed on March 1, 2010, after a spirited struggle with cancer. Born on December 8, 1946, in Boston, MA, Ralph was the eldest son of the late Ralph Q. and Mary (Driscoll) Centola. Ralph spent most of his childhood in Meriden, CT, where he met the love of his life and wife of more than 40 years, Joanne (Trawicke) Centola. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1968 and served in the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve, 1969-1975. Ralph dedicated his life's work to managing manufacturing operations at the Stanley Works in New Britain, CT, retiring after 26 years as the Vice President of Manufacturing for the Hand Tools Division. Following his retirement from Stanley, Ralph continued to guide and develop manufacturing...

Bernard R. "Buzz" Baranek, of Bay City, Michigan. Age 87 years, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010 in Bay Regional Medical Center. He was born to the late Gottlieb and Anna (Rawranek) Baranek on August 15, 1922 in Bay City. Bernard was employed with Michigan Bell for 42 years before his retirement. He was a member of St. James Church and the Telephone Pioneers. Bernard loved to sing and was very active in the church choir. He was involved in many sports in high school and continued to play golf throughout the years. Bernard served honorably in the U. S. Marines during World War II. On September 7, 1946 he married the former Dorothy Seeley and she survives him along with their five children: Barb (James) Watson, Michael (Maria) Baranek, David Baranek, Richard (Patti) Baranek, and Lori (Michael)...

Patrick J. McDonald, age 84, of Mpls., on March 2, 2010. Born in Green Bay, WI. After a long illness, Patrick has gone to a new life leaving his loving family. He was a decorated USMC Combat Veteran (Pacific), WWII and Korea. Retired 1st Sgt. Detective, Mpls. Police Dept. A fingerprint, photography and crime scene expert, Patrick received many commendations over his 32 year career. A devout Catholic and member of many Police and Irish-American Societies. Patrick's Irish eyes were always smiling. His strength, honor, courage, wisdom and kindnesses will be remembered by all who knew him. Preceded in death by beloved children, Jerry and Sheila. Survived by cherished wife of 61 years, Harriet; sons, Tim and Dan (Peg); daughter, Mary (Mace) Harris; son-in-law, Greg Grande; grandchildren, Julie...

A memorial graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. March 27 at Eureka Cemetery in Newport for Robert C. “Bob” Kosydar of Vale, formerly of Springfield, who died Feb. 1 of cancer. He was 73. He was born Sept. 11, 1936, in Toledo, Ore., to Edward and Alice Cosgrove Kosydar. He married Barbara Luton in 1960. They later divorced. He married Virginia Strite on Jan. 29, 1977, in Reno, Nev. He graduated from Toledo High School and served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He worked in the lumber industry, first at Georgia-Pacific in Toledo and later in Springfield at the Weyerhaeuser paper mill. He retired from there in 1993. Survivors include his wife; four children, Kenneth of Springfield, Ed-ward of Eagle, Idaho, Valerie Kosydar of Springfield and Cameron Foroud of...

John Milton Abbott, 72 7/5/1937 3/3/2010 Wednesday, March 3, our family was devastated by the unexpected loss of John Abbott, a great husband, father and grandfather. John grew up in the Northwest with his parents, Al and Helen. He graduated from Seattle's Garfield High School in 1955. On his 18th birthday, he committed to four years with the U.S. Marine Corps, then served 18 more with the U.S. Air Force. In addition to five states, John's family accompanied him to overseas duty assignments which included Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. After over two decades of military relocation, John retired from the Air Force in 1978, returning to his native home, the Pacific Northwest. He earned a Bachelor of Arts at Portland State University and was employed by Konica. John stood upon a strong...

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Nigel K. Olsen, 21, of Orem, Utah, died March 4 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-678-0052. <bgsound embed="" src="http://www.marinechat.com/Ritenour/Taps-MC-Band.wav" autostart="true" hidden="true" volume="100" loop="true">

WALNUT GROVE, Minn. - Robert "Bob" O'Donnell, 77, Walnut Grove and formerly of Belle Fourche, S.D., died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Sanford Tracy Medical Center. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Survivors include his wife, Charleen O'Donnell, Walnut Grove; two daughters, Margi Culhane, Yankton, and Kris Edmonson, Louisburg, N.C.; three stepchildren, Julie Nelson, Walnut Grove, Daniel Gilb, Baldwin City, Kan., and Randal Gilb, Hastings; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Ellen Warren, Belle Fourche. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with memorial services following at 7 p.m., Friday, March 5, at Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be sent at...

TEMECULA -- James A. Reed passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2010. He was born December 19, 1941 in Millington, Michigan. Jim joined the Marine Corps at age 17 and was stationed at Mira Mar Naval Air Station, and served as a military policeman. He was Honorably Discharged in 1963. Jim was very proud when he received his Master's Degree in Business Management. His career included working as a business manager and main banker. Jim was a good family man who took a great deal of pride in providing for his family. He was always involved in his children's activities to include being a member of the Vista High School Booster Clubs for football, swimming and band. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting and fishing. Jim was especially proud of his children graduating from college and that his...

Mark R. Krenz, 53, Blue Springs, MO, (formerly of ND), died February 27, 2010, after a four-year battle with cancer. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Burial will be held in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Mark was born in Mohall, ND, on February 28, 1956, the son of R. Paul and Rosemarie (Johnson) Krenz. Mark attended Mohall High School where he competed in track, football, was a member of the FFA, and graduated in 1975. Mark served in the US Marine Corps from 1975 until 1978. His unit was attached to a naval destroyer and had tours in the...

Hulett 'H.V.' Bryan Jr., faithful husband, beloved daddy, and adored "Ye Ye," went to be with the Lord, March 3, 2010. H.V., age 79, was born the only child to Hulett Virgle and Ann Berta Bryan Jan. 15, 1931, in Kingsville. Services will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Wiley and Dr. Don Davidson officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. He served his country in the U.S. Marines as a member of the military police while in Japan. Mr. Bryan graduated from Texas A&I and served as city secretary in Kingsville. He moved to Tyler in 1968 to serve as the finance director for the city of Tyler and retired in 1995. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Tyler. ...

WILLIAM "BILL" KIMBROUGH, age 90, passed away at a local hospital on March 2, 2010. He was born in Birmingham on October 25, 1919, the son of James E. Wilson and Leila Riley Wilson. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Marguerite Hereford Wilson of Hoover; grandsons, Ryan Stephen Wilson and Evan J. Wilson; daughter-in-law, Sherry Wilson of Hoover; brothers, Tommy Wilson (Lottie) of Hoover and Walter Wilson (Johnnie Ruth) of Signal Mountain, TN; three nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, William Stephen Wilson; brothers, James E. Wilson, Jr. and Harold E. Wilson. Bill grew up in the Central Park Community where he was a member of the "Central Park Boys" reunion which is still very active and meets in a reunion every year. He was a member...

OCEANSIDE -- George M. Auer, USMC Ret., 83, died Monday, February 22, 2010, at home in Oceanside. He was born in Bethlehem, Pa. He served four years in the Army Air Corps during WWII followed by twenty four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. After retirement, he bred and trained Thoroughbred Race Horses. In 1999, George was preceded in death by Lillian, his wife of 54 years. He is survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Dolores Doddy and Marie and John Bowman; his daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Tommy Hartley; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Dawn Auer; grandchildren and their spouses, Debbi and Michael Triesch and Lance and Rhonda Hartley; and, great grandchildren Lily, Alexandria, Vanessa, Chase, Taylor and Allison. George befriended anyone who crossed his path. His favorite...

Sgt. Maj. Leonard Mayfield USMC, Ret. Leonard Mayfield, Sr. passed away February 26, 2010 in the presence of his family at Wilford Hall Medical Center. He was born June 15, 1949, to the union of Cornell Mayfield, Sr. and Jessie L. Mayfield in Jackson, Mississippi. He accepted Christ at an early age with membership at Simon Hill Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He received his formal education in Jackson, Mississippi graduating from Lanier High School. Leonard united in holy matrimony to his childhood sweetheart, Velma Mayfield and they remained gloriously united for forty years until his demise. Leonard joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967 receiving an honorable discharge, retiring in 1992. During his military career he served in Desert Storm and three tours in...

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 4, at Major Family Funeral Home in Springfield for John W. Fortenberry of Eugene, who died Feb. 27 of age-related causes. He was 93. Visitation was held March 3. He was born Dec. 27, 1916, in Tahoka, Texas, to Wylie and Alicia McIntyre Fortenberry. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a used car salesman. Survivors include a daughter, Sally Hines of Beaverton; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; His wife, Renee Lambert Fortenberry, and a son, Dennis Fortenberry, died previously. <bgsound embed="" src="http://www.marinechat.com/Ritenour/Taps-MC-Band.wav" autostart="true" hidden="true" volume="100" loop="true">

Ernest Paul Tsaldaris of Mahopac, NY, passed away, at home, with his family by his side, on February 27, 2010. Born October 3, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY, to Theodora and Paul Tsaldaris, he moved to Mahopac in 1974. Ernie proudly served in the United States Marine Corps., retired from the NYC Department of Correction, and Raytheon Danbury. He was a lifetime member, and former Board of Directors member, of the Mahopac Falls Vol. Fire Dept. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years, Sonja, and daughters, Christine and Lori, all of Mahopac; his father Paul; sister Catherine, sister Helen (Dean) Rasinya; brother Elias, all of Brooklyn; sister-in-law Ingrid Saez of Gilboa, NY; and his loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Theodora, brother Elias, and son-in-law Scott Piper....

W. Carter Kerbawy passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. He was the son of the late Samuel and Lucille Kerbawy and is survived by his sister, Marcia Hudson of Michigan. Carter was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam. He was a 30-year employee of the Las Vegas Hilton, retiring due to poor health. Per his request, no services will be held. Carter will be missed by many. <bgsound embed="" src="http://www.marinechat.com/Ritenour/Taps-MC-Band.wav" autostart="true" hidden="true" volume="100" loop="true">

GLEN ROCK Grace Heckman-Scheltema, 84, died at her home from pancreatic cancer on Saturday, February 27, 2010, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Johannes Lorenzo Scheltema. Viewing will be 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom. Funeral liturgy will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (original), 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, with the Rev. Bernard Wamayose A.J., officiating. Burial will be in Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Md. Born September 27, 1925, in Norfolk, Va., she was a daughter of the late Frederick Adam and Louise Margaret (Boyer) Heckman. Grace was a United States Marine Corps veteran stationed in Europe during the Korean War. She moved to southern York County in...

Arthur C. Smith, Sr. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his graveside service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum. Mr. Smith is survived by his beloved wife Mrs. Dona Kay Smith; son Mr. Arthur C. Smith Jr.; grandchildren Jennifer and Tyler (Linda), sister Charlotte Ennis of Etna, Calif. He was predeceased by his wife Geraldine Smith and son Richard. Art Smith joined the U.S. Marine Corps on May 11, 1939. He attended Sea School, San Diego, Calif., and Engineering Bn, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served aboard U.S.S. ENTERPRISE in Pearl Harbor. He was honorably discharged September 1945 in Mare Island, Calif. He was a member of The Elk's Lodge #2103 of Carmichael for 40 years, The Folsom Moose Lodge #2009 for 17 years, Eagles,...

Robert H. Madigan, 92, of Middle Grove, NY, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010, at Saratoga Hospital. Born in Schenectady on March 22, 1917, he was the son of the late Henry and Zada (nee: Lauder) Madigan. A lifelong area resident, he was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and has been living in Middle Grove for the past 20 years. During WWII, Robert served as a sergeant for the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theatre. He was a communicant of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church in Schenectady. He worked for the Schenectady Fire Department for over 30 years, retiring as Deputy Chief. During his career as a fireman, he also worked as a butcher for the A & P Market in Wood-lawn area of Schenectady. After his retirement, he served as a volunteer with Lake Desolation Fire Dept. He was a...

COVENTRY, R.I. - Joseph M. Heed, age 88, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Coventry Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. He was the beloved husband of 54 years of the late Joan T. (Mc Gill) Heed. Born May 17, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY. A son of the late John A. and Mary Ellen (Colleran) Heed, he lived all his life on Long Island, N.Y., moving to Rhode Island in 1984. Mr. Heed was a signal maintainer for the New York City Transit Authority, retiring in 1984. He was a Marine Corps veteran who served during WW II. Joseph is survived by his beloved son, Benjamin H. Heed and his friend and companion, Robert L. Souza of New Bedford, MA. He was the brother of the late John M., Thomas, Charles A., William and Martin J. Heed, Jane Ollweiler, Cecelia Smith, Mary Ellen Vuocolo, and Margaret Albert....

MUNCIE - Donald R. Blumberg, 79, of Muncie, IN, formerly from the South Bend, Mishawaka area, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer at the Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie, IN. Donald was born on January 24, 1931, in South Bend, to the late Thaddeus and Sarah Blumberg. Donald is survived by his three daughters, Beth (Brian) Kennedy of Anderson, IN, Andrea Clark of Chicago, IL, and Jill (Mark) Swain of Columbus, IN. Donald was a loving and caring grandfather to four grandchildren, Kristina, Victoria Kennedy of Anderson, IN, Jackson and Luke Swain of Columbus, IN. His wife, Maryell, who passed away on February 7, 1991, preceded Donald in death. Donald received an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps after serving...

PHILIP BRUCE TESH, Feb. 18, 1943 to Feb. 27, 2010 --- Phil Tesh, 67, was born to Bruce and Flora Lee Payne Tesh of Winston-Salem and Mount Airy, NC and died from lung cancer at his home in Louisburg, KS. After high school in Winston-Salem, Phil entered basic training with the Marine Corps at Parris Island, SC. He was a decorated Marine during his 20 year career and served tours of duty at El Toro, CA; Cherry Point, NC; Iwakuni, Japan; Okinawa; Vietnam; and as a Drill Instructor at MCRD, San Diego, CA. He was an AFGE Union officer for several years while working for the Navy in Ordnance Supply. He retired in 2006 and moved from Chula Vista, CA, to Louisburg, KS where he was active in the Louisburg Lions Club and conducted a successful antique business specializing in military memorabilia....

RUSSELL W. FELTON Age 89, of Camp Verde, Arizona, died February 12, 2010, in Cottonwood, Ariz. He was born June 8, 1920, in Deerfield, Ohio, the son of Chance and Elsie Felton. Russ married Dorothy Holland in San Bernard ino, California, on June 1, 1947. They were married 55 years until Dorothy's death in 2003. Russ served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean conflict. He lived in San Bernardino County, California, from 1945 until 1979, when he retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Assistant Postmaster in Rialto, California. Upon retiring, he and Dorothy moved to Camp Verde, Arizona, where Dorothy was active in the First Baptist Church of Camp Verde. Russ is survived by his two sons, Virgil of Golden Valley, Arizona, and Robert of Hesperia, California; and...

DICKSON, TN. - Mr. Joseph L. Sims, 36, of Dickson, Tennessee, died Tuesday February 9, 2010, in Nashville, Tennessee as the result of an automobile accident. He was born October 20, 1973 in Guntersville, Alabama. He was raised in Lake Wales and was a 1992 graduate of Lake Wales High School. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was an electrical display setter for Home Depot. He was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales. He is survived by his wife of 9 1/2 years Tina, his five year old daughter Taylor Sims, parents Rick and Toni Smith of Lake Wales and Bruce and Rebecca Sims of Albertville, Alabama, sisters Yvonne Sims of Lakeland, Chris-tie (Steve) Wilmoth of Lake Wales, Kelly Smith (fiancé Matthew Cox) of Lake Wales, Athena Spurlin of Louisiana,...

Feb. 24, 2010 Avelino Pescador, 82, of Honolulu, a Marine Corps veteran, died at home. He was born in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He is survived by wife Marina L.; sons Dion and Rup Pescador; daughters Elmie Murray, Tita Calizar and Marivel Ventura; sisters Filomena and Ursula Pescador; and 11 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday. Burial: 11 a.m. at Valley of the Temples. <bgsound embed="" src="http://www.marinechat.com/Ritenour/Taps-MC-Band.wav" autostart="true" hidden="true" volume="100" loop="true">

Robert J. VanLuvender, 65, of Coal Street, Plymouth, passed away on Monday morning, March 1, 2010, with his family by his side in the Inpatient Care Unit of Hospice Community Care in Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. He was born in Moosic on Jan. 1, 1945, a son of the late Robert N. and Emma Jean Mailincs VanLuvender. He attended the Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, N.Y., and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served in Vietnam and around the world for 21 years, gaining the rank of master sergeant. He retired in 1983. Mr. VanLuvender then attended Luzerne County Community College where he became certified as a master plumber. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 4909, Dupont.