Melvin Kohlreiter died peacefully in Warminster, PA on February 21st after a brief battle with cancer. The beloved husband, father, and World War II veteran was 100 years old.
Born January 20, 1924 in New Jersey, Mel spent his formative years in Teaneck. He was enrolled in a high school aviation program when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. One month later, on his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the United States Navy, intending to become a pilot. Instead, lacking the requisite two years of college, he was trained to service and repair warplanes. Subsequent instruction in aerial gunnery, dive-bombing, and specialized maintenance took him to various locations up and down the East Coast throughout 1942.
In 1943 he was assigned to the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier USS Franklin, which was headed for the Pacific. Before the Franklin reached the Panama Canal, however, Mel was transferred to an airbase on the Island of Trinidad, where his expertise in servicing variable pitch propellors was sorely needed. Additional duties included hunting German U-boats as a gunner and observer in a dive bomber.
When the Navy ran short of officer pilots, Mel joined an elite group of enlisted men trained to fly, finally donning the aviator’s wings he coveted. He served in that capacity for the remainder of the War.
Soon after his honorable discharge, he met 16-year-old Lorraine Dern at a 1947 YMCA dance in Jersey City. It was love at first sight. On their first date, Mel took her flying around the Statue of Liberty in a rented plane, only to have engine failure force him to ditch in Bayonne Bay. The plane subsequently sank, and their rescue made headlines in every area newspaper and TV news report.
Despite this misadventure, the two were soon engaged. They married on June 5, 1949. Together they raised a family, traveled the world, befriended celebrities such as Perry Como, competed in equestrian events, and figure skated together for many years. Mel excelled at many jobs, including car salesman (alongside a young Jack Lord), small business owner, and, into his eighties, he was the go-to real estate agent in Palm Beach, Florida.
Over his one hundred years Mel survived attacks on U-boats, emergency plane landings, a near fatal automobile accident, triple bypass surgery, and a tricky negotiation with a Maasai warrior in Kenya who offered to buy Lorraine in exchange for a cow. He was a pilot, scuba diver, figure skater, golfer, tennis player, and equestrian. His strength, mental sharpness, and impish sense of humor amazed everyone who met him, right up to the end.
Mel was preceded in death by his son Steven and his sister Audrey Weinberg. He is survived by Lorraine, his wife of 74 years, his daughter Vicki Hughes, granddaughters Lisa Rossmann, Lindsey Leonard, and Diane Steiner, his great grandchildren Dylan Rossmann, Duke Leonard, Sophia Steiner, and Justin Steiner, as well as the many extended family members and friends who found his charm irresistible.
Services will be held 9:00 AM March 1, 2024, at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940.

Marcus Stelios Peris NORFOLK – Marcus Stelios Peris, 88, of the 200 block of Thole St., passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in a local hospital. He was born on March 28, 1921 in Kardamyla, Chios, Greece and was a resident of Norfolk for the past 63 years. He was the son of the late Stelios and Paraskevi Perivolaris and was preceded in death by his sister, Maria P. Andriotis. He was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. He served his country in the United States Navy aboard the carrier USS Franklin (CV13) and was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of VFW Post 3160 and the American Legion Post No. 60. He was the owner of Peris Painting Company until his retirement in 1985. Survivors include his beloved wife of 63 years, Bessie Jordan Peris; a daughter, Patricia P. Longworth of Norfolk; two sons, Tony M. Peris and his wife Mary of Norfolk, Steven M. Peris and his wife Julie of Morton, Ill.; two grandsons, Marcus S. Longworth and his wife Heather of Norfolk and Ernest E. Longworth and his wife Tracy of Chesterfield, Va.; five great-grandchildren, Toby, Tanner, Ethan, Abigail and Aiden Longworth; sister- in-law, Barbara Jordan of Norfolk; many nieces, nephews and cousins. The Trisagion service will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel. A funeral will be conducted at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Friday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Father Ambrose Bitziadis- Bowers and the Rev. Father Constantine P. Rogakos. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center for their excellent care. Memorial donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby St., Norfolk, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.
Published in: The Virginian-Pilot from December 16, 2009 to December 18, 2009

Harry, Samuel James, age 81, of Fullerton, CA., lost his battle to Melanoma on Feb. 17, 2008. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Nancy Harry, and his four children, Christine Krog of Geneva, IL., Samuel Jr. (Diana) Harry of Lakewood, CO., Maureen Harry of Fullerton, CA., Kathleen (Phil) Ely of Anaheim Hills, CA., and eight grandchildren. Sam was the son of Edward and Bernadette Harry and born in Connellsville, PA. His survivng siblings are Eileen Peifer, Bernadette Keslar, William Harry, Philip Harry, and Kathleen Moulton. Sam was a proud veteran of the US Navy in WWII and a survivor of the USS Franklin. He was a former president of the First Friday Friars, a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus, active in the Probus Organization, and devoted to his Prison Ministry of over 16 years. His passion for golf kept him busy outside of his volunteer work. A Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m., on Feb. 25, 2008 at St. Juliana Church, 1316 N. Acacia, Fullerton, CA. The Funeral Mass will be Feb. 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Juliana Church with an Honorary Military Ceremony to follow at Loma Vista Cemetery, 701 E. Bastanchury, Fullerton, CA. After the ceremony there will be a reception at the parish hall for family and friends. Donations in his name can be sent to the American Cancer Society. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton. McAulay & Wallace
Published in: Orange County Register from February 21, 2008 to February 23, 2008

Joseph A. Unterreiner, age 88, WWII Navy Veteran, served on the USS Franklin, awarded the Purple Heart; devoted husband of the late Evelyn, nee Lock; beloved father of Margaret (Donald) Davis, and Mary Beth Peron; cherished grandfather of Mark (Janet) Davis, Melissa (Christopher) Brown, Elizabeth Peron and Robin Peron; beloved great-grandpa of Meagan, Paige, Jason, Joshua and Joseph; dear nephew of Mary Lutz; loving brother of Dorothy (the late John) Giuffre, Joan (Tim) Stiles, Paul (Joan) Weilberg, Julie Nadler and Louise (Robert) Sitman; cherished uncle and friend of many. Funeral 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from Matz Funeral Home, 3440 N. Central Ave., to St. Ladislaus Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday, 3 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The American Heart Association appreciated. Info: 773-545-5420

Donald Conard, 97 years old, was born on August 6, 1926, in Tunnel Hill (Coshocton Co.) Ohio. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Beth (Chet) Rowland, son Kyle Conard, step daughters Tamara (Tim) Moyer and Dawn DeLozier, daughter-in-law Susan Lewin; Grand and step grandchildren Angela (Toby) Briley, Andrew Conard, Katie Devine, Lauren (Kevin) Beutler, Tyler, Ryan and Keane Moyer, Carly (Dakota) Berridge and Brandi DeLozier; great grandchildren Jenna and Griffin Briley, Emerson and Teddy Berridge and Maris Beutler; many nieces and nephews; cousin Bob (Mabel) Melick.

Preceded in death by his parents John Milton Conard and Inez Norris; brothers Kenneth, sister Florence, wife Edna, sons Keith, Scott, Kevin; granddaughter Danielle.

Donald graduated from Union High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After training at Great Lakes Naval Station, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Franklin CV-13. As WWII was winding down, the Franklin was headed to Japan when two armor-piercing bombs were dropped by Japanese planes on the morning of March 19, 1945. Over 900 men were killed that day. Miraculousy, the ship did not sink. It was towed to Ulithi for some repairs and then made its way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard by way of Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal. Don always liked to tell that the ship was so wide that it knocked down light poles going through the canal. It was the most heavily damaged ship to make it back to port on its own power. While at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Don met Edna Campbell and they married in New York City in 1946. When the war ended, they moved to Columbus, OH, and Don attended The Ohio State University on the GI bill. For four years they lived on the Ohio State Fairgrounds in a trailer while he pursued his degree in agriculture. He graduated in 1950 and worked for the Ohio Farm Bureau. Later he and his brother, Kenneth, co-founded Scioto Farm Chemicals Fertilizer Plant and Purina Feed Mill in Chillicothe, OH. Even later he worked at Alcoa/Wearever (Chillicothe) and Western Electric (Columbus). Edna passed away after 45 happy years. He built homes in Dayton and Chillicothe. The last home he built had been a dream since college days when a professor talked about geothermal heat. With his second wife he built a house near Utica, OH, with geothermal heating and enjoyed living there for several years. He and Linda returned to Westerville in 2013. He had the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight in April of 2009. He would become a world traveler after retirement and visited countries such as Solomon Islands, Figi, Myanmar, Iceland, Germany, England, France and many more. He took cruises and met many wonderful people who became lifetime friends. He had a wonderful life for 97 years and will be missed by anyone who knew him. Calling hours are 4-7pm on Friday February 23, and funeral on February 24, at 10:30am at Hill Funeral Home, 220 S. State St, Westerville, OH 43081. Interment will follow immediately after at Blendon Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Honor Flight Columbus, PO Box 20133, Columbus, OH 43220. WARM at 150 Heatherdown Dr, Westerville, OH 43081 or any charity of your choice. To honor a true WWII American hero, feel free to wear red, white, and blue.

Posted online on February 22, 2024

Published in Columbus Dispatch

Charles “Chuck” Botts, 98, of Earlville, IL passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the LaSalle Veterans Home. He was born on September 24, 1926 in Hammond, IN the son of Charles and Anna (Clover) Botts. He married Marilyn Gast on January 10, 1948 in Earlville, IL at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Chuck was involved in many different things. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He very proudly served in the US Navy during W.W. II, serving on the USS Franklin. He was involved in the Mendota VFW #4079, Earlville American Legion, the Mendota Moose Lodge and Mendota Elks Club. After being involved in so many organizations he still found time to farm all his land in Earlville for decades. In his free time, he was an avid beer can collector, hat collector and shot glass collector.

He is survived by his two daughters, Wanda Planthaber and Diane (Gary) Lampe; grandchildren, Christine (Lloyd) McKenna and their four sons, Craig Planthaber and his two sons, Cherie Planthaber and her two daughters, Cinda (Tim) Bly, Stacy (Joseph) Datti and their two daughters and Garrett Lampe; three great great-grandchildren, sisters, Lola Burkhart and Lorretta Hoffman; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, son, Steven Botts; five siblings, John (Ruth) Botts, Louie (Dee) Botts, Elberta (Harold) Olsen, Lois Botts and Everrett Botts; son-in-law, Carl Planthaber; along with his beloved dog, Dora.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Earlville, IL from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Denise Rode officiating. After a luncheon and time of fellowship at the church a graveside service with Military honors will follow at Wisner Cemetery in Mendota, IL. Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the VFW