Pioneer cotton breeder and agricultural businessman James Rex Dunn died Sunday, October 4, just one day after his 74th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife Vera Fielder Dunn. A long-time resident of Lamesa, he was 95 years old and living in Southlake at the time of his passing.

Rex was the founder and owner of Dunn Seed Farms and Dunn Delinting Company in Gaines County. He was one of the earliest seed breeders in the country, holding Texas licensing permit #4. He was a pioneer in developing new varieties of cotton specifically developed for the West Texas environment and changing farming techniques that produced more quantity and quality cotton fiber. He was also influential in developing state guidelines and regulations that ensured and protected the quality seed that farmers rely on. Upon his retirement, he donated the seed he had in development to Texas A&M University’s Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which was, at the time, the largest gift of intellectual property in the University’s history.

Rex was also a proud WWII veteran as an E-4 and Purser on the U.S.S. Franklin, an Essex-class aircraft carrier.

He is survived by his wife, Vee, son Jim and daughter Rebecca, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Source: https://www.seminolesentinel.com/content/james-rex-dunn

Ambrose Tommy and Shirley Ambrose Tommy W Ambrose and Shirley Ann Ball Ambrose, married for 68 years, died eight months apart in 2020. Tommy died January 13th in Pocatello, ID, after a decline from a series of strokes. Shirley died October 2nd at her beloved farm near Pocatello, where she grew up and to which she and Tommy moved in retirement. They leave behind their three daughters Leslie, Julie, and Pamela, grandchildren Shira and Joshua, and Tommy’s sister Arlene DeMars. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Rosemary Thornburg. Besides Tommy, Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Cynthia Guyer. Tommy was born on October 14, 1926, to Fines and Fern (Buff) Ambrose, in Jerome, Idaho. He and his sisters grew up on the family farm. At the start of World War II, Tommy enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the U.S.S. Franklin in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, Tommy earned his bachelor’s (’50) and master’s (’51) degrees in chemical engineering at the University of Idaho. In 1957, he completed his doctorate at Oregon State University. Shirley was born in Pocatello on February 13th, 1928, to Pearl and Frank Ball. She attended Idaho State University for two years, and then transferred to the University of Idaho, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English. The couple met while attending college and married in 1951. They settled in Richland, WA, where Tommy started his career at General Electric Company at the Hanford Atomic Works. They moved to Corvallis, OR, where Tommy earned his PhD. Returning to Richland, Tommy pursued his careers with GE and Douglas United Nuclear, before moving to Battelle Memorial Institute, as director of the Seattle Research Center and then as director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. Shirley pursued her interest in the arts by teaching ballet and acting as choreographer for the Richland Light Opera. She also assumed much of the practical responsibility for raising their three daughters, instilling in them her love of the arts. The family particularly enjoyed their annual trips to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Tommy retired as a Vice President from Battelle to serve the University of California System as liaison between its president and Department of Energy’s three National Laboratories: Livermore, Los Alamos and Berkeley. Tommy received the University of Idaho’s Hall of Fame award (1980), the Oregon State University College of Engineering Hall of Fame award (2001), and the Idaho State University College of Engineering’s Professional Achievement award (2000). In 2011, Tommy was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the University of Idaho’s Academy of Engineers. In retirement, Tommy and Shirley renovated the house at their farm. By their count, they had built three houses and renovated three more over the course of their partnership. They shared a do-it yourself attitude and a strong work ethic, perhaps a result of their farm upbringings. They will be sorely missed. Donations in their honor may be made to the University of Idaho. Individual obituaries for Tommy and Shirley can be found at wilksfuneralhome.com

Leroy Willmirth

Aug. 29, 1925 – Nov. 20, 2020

KNOXVILLE – Leroy Willmirth, 95, of Knoxville, IL, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, November 20, 2020.

Leroy was born in Decatur, IL on August 29, 1925, the son of Amos and Ruby (Gray) Willmirth.

He married Norma Jean Bertsch on May 24, 1947. She preceded him in death on September 30, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother: George Edward; daughter: Sharon Kaye; and son-in-law: Michael Martakis.

He is survived by daughters: Linda (John) Burris of Dahinda, IL and Patricia (Bruce) Alleman of Sun City, AZ; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Leroy proudly served our country in the US Navy during WWII. He served on the USS Franklin as a Signalman. He served from May, 1943 to August 29, 1947.

He was a 50 year member of the Central Laborer’s Union. He was employed by L.E. Devore Construction for many years and he retired from Bodine Sewer, Inc.

Leroy was an avid Chicago Cubs and Illini basketball fan. One of his greatest joys was in 2016 as he watched the Cubs win the World Series. In his leisure time, he did beautiful needlework and enjoyed playing cards every night with his wife for many years. He and Norma enjoyed taking the Grandchildren on trips for their High School graduation gift.

Graveside Services for Leroy will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, November 27, at Graceland Cemetery with US Navy military honors. Visitation will be 11:00 – 12:00 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Because of current restrictions, crowd size will be limited to 10 people in the funeral home at any time, with face masks required and social distancing. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Courtyard Estates of Knoxville, 415 E. Main St., Knoxville, IL 61448.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.

Petraitis, Joseph
Aug 9, 1926 – Nov 21, 2020
Joseph Petraitis, age 94 of Nokomis Fl. and Port Hope, Michigan went to be with the Lord on November 21, 2020.
He is survived by his beloved wife Marie for 71 years and father to Gerald (Katherine), Michael (Jeannette) Petraitis , Laurie (Chris )Gougeon, Susan Henry, Anne Gongos. Joe was a grandfather to 13 and great grandfather to 8.
“Joe” was born in Detroit and was a WW11 Veteran serving in the Navy from 1944-1947 as a Motor Machinist Third Mate ,Third Class. He survived the bombing of his ship, the USS Franklin on 3-19-1945 (St.Joseph’s Day).
Throughout his life, Joseph’s deep faith in God was clearly evident.
He was a member at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice Florida.
“Joe” enjoyed many hobbies at his Michigan home with his wife Marie. He was an avid gardener, hunter, fisherman and all around tinkerer who offered help to any in need. Joe had a heart of gold with a deep love of his family. He will be greatly missed!
There will be a celebration of Joe’s life at Venice Memorial Gardens at a later date. Please visit www.toalebrothers.com to leave a condolence message.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.Published in Herald Tribune from Dec. 16 to Dec. 20, 2020.

Richard D. “Dick” Chasse, 96, of Nashua, retired Deputy Fire Chief and longtime Nashua firefighter, passed away Sunday morning, December 13, 2020 after a brief illness.

A lifelong resident of this city, he was born on September 21, 1924, one of nine children of the late Jean Baptiste and Marie (Bourbeau) Chasse. Dick grew up in the French Hill neighborhood and attended the former St. Francis Xavier Parochial School and Nashua public schools. A Navy veteran, he served during World War II in the South Pacific aboard the USS Franklin from 1943 to 1946 and held the rank of Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class.

Dick joined the Nashua Fire Department in 1947 as a call man and was appointed to permanent status in April 1952. During his long career, he was promoted to Private, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief, retiring in 1983. Dick continued his career as a licensed plumber for many years.

He served on the Board of Fire Commissioners and also served in the New Hampshire Legislature for two years.

In his leisure time, Dick was an avid reader, especially of history and enjoyed the challenge of solving cross-word puzzles. He was a Boston Bruins and New York Yankees fan.

He was a member of Nashua Lodge 720, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks for over 50 years and held membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 483.

Dick was predeceased by his wife, Isabelle Mary (Desmarais) Chasse, who passed in June 1994; and his eight siblings, Romeo, Adelard, Philip, Paul and Robert Chasse, and Lucille Francoeur, Rita Chasse and Aurore Dionne.

Members of his family include his loving companion of 26 1/2 years, Mary Isabell (Stanley) Batchelder; five step-children, Irving Stanley and his wife Vashti, Henry Stanley and his wife Ashley, Robert Batchelder and his wife Betsy, Stephen Batchelder and his wife Josephine, and Stephanie Baker and her husband Jerome; twenty five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Theresa Chasse; brother-in-law, Edmond Dionne; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to the current pandemic, services will be private. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. http://www.farwellfuneralservice.com.

Source: https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/obituaries-memorials/obituaries/2020/12/26/richard-d-dick-chasse-4/