Seventy years ago this week, a front-page picture presented Post-Gazette readers with proof that the world was truly off kilter. Even today, the image remains a shocking reminder of the apocalyptic nature of a war that, by 1945, had enveloped the globe for more than five years.
Robert Stiffler Waddington
age 89, of New Philadelphia died Thursday, May 21, 2015 in Union Hospital at Dover. A son of the late William E. and Erma (Stiffler) Waddington, Bob was born in the family home at New Philadelphia on Nov. 14, 1925. He attended New Philadelphia High School until his Junior Year when his family relocated to Washington D.C. and became a 1943 graduate of Roosevelt Senior High School. Following graduation, Bob entered into the United Marine Corps and proudly served aboard the USS Franklin during World War II. In March 1945, Bob was on board ship at the time The Franklin was bombed and 800 Marines and Sailors lost their lives. An ever proud Marine, Bob enjoyed being a part of the Marine Corps League and loved traveling to their various functions throughout the United States. Professionally, Bob worked for the United States Postal Service for 34 years having served in the D.C, Dayton and Williamsburg, Pennsylvania offices. Following his retirement, he began traveling to Yellowstone National Park, where for 14 summers he enjoyed working in one of the stores near the Old Faithful Geyser. Bob was a member of the Goshen Community Nazarene Church and also found joy in reading and watching television.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann whom he married on July 7, 2007; his children, Glenn (Gwen) Waddington, Sandra (Peter) Waldren all of Shelter Island, N.Y., Katrina (Robert) Pennell of Raleigh, N.C., Ward (Cathy) Waddington of Williamsburg, Pa.; his grandchildren, Morgan, who is currently serving in the USMC, Christopher, Alexandra, Rachel, Eddie, Trisha, Jacob, Amyjo and Arianne as well as numerous great-grandchildren. Completing the family are his step-children, Mary (James) Davis of Apple Creek, and Sherry (fiancé, Rodney Lohr) Depinet of Mansfield; step-grandchildren, Nicole, Amanda, Morgan and Matthew and four step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Waddington and his daughter, Kris LaFerney.
The family will greet guests one hour prior to services on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 1-2 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Lee Randolph will lead a service celebrating Bob’s life at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be directed to Goshen Community Church of the Nazarene, 2501 Davis Road SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Bob by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesreporter/obituary.aspx?n=robert-stiffler-waddington&pid=174924619&fhid=22449&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.PuBZFCOC.dpuf
University of South Carolina Upstate Library Dean Frieda Davison has written a book about all of the men listed on the Duncan Park memorial. Davison, who spent eight years of research to tell the story of every single veteran for the book, stands at the Veteran’s Pointe Memorial Park war memorial at Duncan Park in Spartanburg on Friday.
University of South Carolina Upstate Library Dean Frieda Davison has written a book about all of the men listed on the Duncan Park memorial. Davison, who spent eight years of research to tell the story of every single veteran for the book, stands at the Veteran’s Pointe Memorial Park war memorial at Duncan Park in Spartanburg on Friday.
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Shelmerdine –Billy Lee Jones, 88, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015 at his home. A graveside service will be conducted Monday at 2pm in Mack Smith Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the cemetery where there will also be a viewing.
Billy, born July 28, 1926 to the late Roy and Mayme Jones in Bomarton, TX, was raised in Keystone, OK. He joined the US Navy during World War II, serving on the USS Franklin, also known as “Big Ben,” in the Pacific Theater. He moved to North Carolina in 1948 and met and married Reba Haddock on November 10, 1948. He worked as a farmer and a butcher before becoming a carpenter, working for Daniels Construction and Eastern Omni before retiring in 1991. He loved to hunt, fish, watch baseball and basketball games with his grandsons, and gardening, but spending time with his family always came first.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Reba Haddock Jones; son, Billy Wayne Jones; grandson, Brian Gray; sister, Lily Jones; father and mother-in-law, Spencer and Mertie Haddock; and in-laws, Amyle Peterman, Joyce Jones, George Meigs, Wilbur and Gracie Haddock, Lyman and Lucille Haddock, Jessie Haddock, Estelle Ham, and Roy Lee Fillingame.
Billy is survived by his children, JoAnn Jones Gray and husband, William of Independence, LA and Randy Jones and wife, Joy Cannon Jones; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Jones Williams and husband, Ernie, all of Shelmerdine; grandchildren, Tonya Cabaniss and husband, Jeff, Justin and William Gray, Roxanna Ford, Alan Jones and wife, Jennifer, Casey, Jason, Michael, and Cody Jones; great grandchildren, Joseph Puckett, Brianna, Edith, Mary, and Jacob Gray, Rachel and Jesse Ford, and Zachary and Matthew Jones; brother, Ray Jones and wife, Betty; sisters, Wanda Peterman and Shirley Bunyard; sisters-in-law, Rena Mae Haddock and Betty Jo Fillingame; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
USS Franklin Museum Association 