Obituary, Herve E. Dionne

Herve E. Dionne, 90, of Warwick passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at home. He was the beloved husband of Mary A. (Davey) Dionne. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Eugene J. and Lillian (Ouellette) Dionne.

Mr. Dionne was a Foreman for Industrial Machine Corp. for 40 years until his retirement. He also served in The United States Navy during WW II. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Warwick. Mr. Dionne was an avid golfer.

He was the loving father of Stephen M. Dionne and his wife Mary Pat of Cranston, David H. Dionne and his wife Kim Plumridge of Tuckahoe, NY and Kathleen A. Adamonis and her husband Vitold of Sutton, MA. Cherished grandfather of Kevin Dionne, Kristen Lukasevicz and David Adamonis and great-grandfather of seven. He was the brother of the late Theresa Teehan and Lillian Nadeau.

Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 9:00-10:30 am in THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 3252 Post Road, Warwick. Burial in RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Assn. RI Chapter, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 would be appreciated.

Click Here To View Condolence Messages
Urquhart – Murphy Funeral Home
800-812 Greenwich Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
401-737-3510

Save the Date – June 23-24-25, 2016

Save the Date – June 23-24-25, 2016

USS Franklin Reunion – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Nearest airports:

  • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: 50 miles – Harrisburg International Airport (airport code: MDT)
  • Baltimore, Maryland: 60 miles – Baltimore International Airport (airport code: BWI)
  • Washington, DC: 87 miles – Ronald Regan International Airport (airport code:DCA) and 80 miles – Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD)
  • (Amtrak goes to Harrisburg, then there’s a bus to Gettysburg, but the train does not go to Gettysburg.)

 

Hotel Accomodations: 1863 Inn of Gettysburg, right in the heart of downtown Gettysburg!

  • 516 Baltimore St. Gettysburg, PA 17325 | (717) 334-6211 – rooms will be held up to 45 days prior to the reunion and then they will open up to the public and the rooms WILL fill up, so make your room reservations asap! $125 – Thursday $145 – Friday and Saturday double bed rooms PARKING AND BREAKFAST INCLUDED!

Events:

Thursday, June 23 – check in and explore downtown Gettysburg

Friday, June 24

  • 3 hour bus battlefield tour with a Licensed Battlefield Guide
  • Visit Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center Civil War Museum, Film – “A New Birth of Freedom” and the Gettysburg Cyclorama
  • Box lunch provided
  • Optional evening “Ghost Tour”

Saturday, June 25

  • Eisenhower National Historic Site with National Park Service Ranger
  • Hall of Presidents and First Ladies – self guided tour
  • Gettysburg National Cemetery – self guided tour
  • Evening banquet with some special guests!

Want to brush up on Gettysburg?

 

 

Obituary, Richard Clement Fink

Richard Clement Fink, 90

Muncie – Richard Clement Fink, age 90, of Muncie, went to Heaven to be with the Lord, on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Morrison Woods Healthcare Campus, Muncie.

Born on April 17, 1925 in Licking County, Ohio, he was the son of H. Russell and Helen (Loughman) Fink. Richard has been a Delaware County resident since 1941, when he moved here with his family, at age fourteen.

Richard attended Harrison Township High School and graduated with the Class of 1947, after having served in the U.S. Navy during WW II from September 1943 to May of 1946, when he was honorably discharged.

Richard was recalled to active duty in September of 1951 during the Korean Conflict, and served at Great Lakes, Illinois, until October of 1952, when he was honorably discharged again from the Navy. He served in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Franklin CV-13 and was a plank owner. He also served on the U.S.S. Lexington CV-16 and was in Tokyo Bay on August 7, 1945 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

Richard worked as a manufacturing engineer at Borg Warner Automotive for forty-one years, until his retirement in 1994.

His memberships include Warner Gear Sympathy Club and Ball Memorial Hospital Volunteer, where he accumulated over 15,000 hours of service. He also attended North Side Church of the Nazarene in Muncie.

Richard and his wife Wanda were presented with the VIVA award in 2015. He also went on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son Bill in April of 2015.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-six years, Wanda E. Fink of Muncie; a son, William (Gale) Fink of Yorktown; daughters, Gloria Randall of Sevierville, TN and Brenda Webster of Muncie; ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard Russell Fink; grandson, Allen Webster; brothers, Kenneth and Robert Fink; and sons-in-law, Jim Webster and James Randall.

Friends may call on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. Indiana 3, Muncie.

Funeral services for Richard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the funeral home with calling one hour prior to service.

Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, with military graveside rites conducted by the Delaware County Honor Guard and U.S. Navy.

Memorial contributions in memory of Richard may be made to I.U. Health Ball Memorial Cardiac Unit or to North Side Church of the Nazarene.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.gardenviewfuneralhome.com. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestarpress/obituary.aspx?n=richard-clement-fink&pid=175565158&fhid=14521&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.2LKI1rg6.dpuf

Obituary, Otis W. “Pete” Pickett

Otis W. “Pete” Pickett

94, passed away in Bradenton, Florida on Monday, August 24, 2015, where he had resided since 2006. Otis was born and raised in the Indianapolis area. During WWII, Otis proudly served his country in the US Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) and was aboard during the kamikaze attack of March 19, 1945.

In 1959, Pete founded Precision Balancing Company in Indianapolis. The company would later be owned and operated by his son, Robert Pickett, and currently by the third generation of the Pickett family, his grandson, Joseph Pickett.

Otis is survived by his son, Robert (Sandra) Pickett of Indianapolis; his daughter, Patricia Pickett Lindstrand; 3 grandchildren, Steven (Mary) Pickett, Joseph (Lisa) Pickett and Charlene (Richard) Jones; and 6 great-grandchildren. Otis was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 70 years, Julia Plew Pickett.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Indiana 46069, with visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial with military honors will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be presented to The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. http://www.allchildrenfirst.org – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=otis-w-pickett-pete&pid=175649717&fhid=14553&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.dz5URXcl.dpuf

Obituary, William Coker, Sr.

William Coker, Sr.Concord, TNWilliam A. (Bill) Coker, Sr., of Concord, was born August 25, 1926 and passed away on Friday afternoon, August 14, 2015. Bill was a World War II Navy Veteran, served on the USS Franklin, and was a member of the 704 Club. He was a Past Master of Chota Lodge #253 F&AM. Bill Retired from Union Carbide.

He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Pattie, Jim and Debby, Phil and Candy; several grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Concord Masonic Cemetery for graveside services. Masonic services will be conferred by Chota Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association , 4708 Papermill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909. http://www.heart.org, or Chota Lodge #253, 11019 2nd Dr, Knoxville, TN 37934. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike is serving the Coker family. http://www.clickfh.com.

Funeral Home
Click Funeral Home – Farragut Chapel
11915 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 671-6100
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on Aug. 18, 2015

– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=william-coker&pid=175525420&fhid=5920&eid=sp_shareobit#sthash.qoAyBKFS.dpuf

Obituary, Albert Thomas Ostheimer

OSTHEIMER, Albert Thomas Passed away August 1, 2015. He was born in New Jersey June 10, 1925 to Frieda and Joseph Ostheimer. Al served in the Navy during World War II as a radio man and gunner on dive bombers. He was on the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier, when it was hit by two bombs off the coast of Japan. Al met his wife, Janice Jones at a dance when he was stationed in Santa Rosa. Dancing was an activity our parents enjoyed; Jitterbug and Square Dancing. Al was a hardworking and creative individual who instilled those attributes in his children. He worked as a butcher for Purity Stores and Safeway. He also helped run the Jones Christmas Tree Farm on Vine Hill Road in Sebastopol. Our parents liked to camp and fish. They took us all with them on family vacations; kids and grandkids. They traveled the world. Al and Jan had a vacation home in Deer Lake, Washington. He enjoyed gardening. We grew up with lots of animals; pets and livestock. He was a fan of the 49ers, Giants and Warriors. Al was fortunate to live to 90 years of age. He remained independent, living on his own, driving his car (he loved to drive), spending time with family and friends. His life was capped off by a surprise birthday party held July 12. All his family and many friends were in attendance. He loved it! Al was dedicated to his family. A kind man, he took loving care of his in-laws when they became elderly. We were all blessed by his ongoing love and support. Al was preceded in death by his wife, Janice, and his grandson, Aaron Ostheimer. He is survived by his daughters, Karen (David) Jones and Johanna (Rob) Klinker; his son, Terry (Sharon) Ostheimer; his eight grandchildren, Paul (Michelle) Ostheimer, Jocelyn (Seth) McKay, Nathan (Tidawan) Ostheimer, Ashton Ostheimer, Kelly (Dillon) Olivas, Sunny (Scott) St. Germain, Shiloh (Dawn) Klinker, and Summer (Andrew) Supinger; twelve great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Johanna Carlisle; and numerous nieces and nephews. We will all miss his sense of humor and his stories. Contributions in Al’s memory may be made to the Humane Society or the charity of your choice .
Published Online in the Press Democrat from Aug. 14 to Aug. 17, 2015

– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=albert-thomas-ostheimer&pid=175500913&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.kEp6fTmw.dpuf

Obituary, Edwin MacCulloch Stephens, Jr.

Edwin MacCulloch Stephens, Jr.Virginia Beach – Edwin MacCulloch Stephens, Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife at his side at Westminster Canterbury on August 2, 2015.

“Mac”, as he was known, was born on June 4th, 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia, and had recently celebrated his 97th birthday. He was predeceased by his parents, Marie Elrod Stephens and Edwin MacCulloch Stephens.

Mac grew up in Ocean View and graduated from Maury High School in 1936. He went to work for his aunt’s husband, Earl Duke, at the Investment Corporation of Norfolk, where he remained for many years. Mac attended the College of William & Mary.

During World War II, Mac enlisted in the US Navy. He attended flight school at the University of North Carolina, and was designated a Naval Aviator, Lt. J.G. in 1947 at NAS, Pensacola, Florida. Mac was a torpedo pilot, flying a VT 47, and served as a land and signal officer aboard the USS Nassau and the USS Franklin. He received a purple heart for his service when the Franklin was attacked in the Pacific.

Mac was an officer in the Investment Corporation of Norfolk, the Investment Corporation of Virginia, and United Virginia Bankshares, which became Crestar Bank. He was a vice president and treasurer at Crestar in Richmond, and took an early retirement from the bank. He returned to Norfolk, and went to work for George Kaufman when he was developing the Guest Quarters Residence Hotels. Mac retired again in 1998, and enjoyed playing golf and swimming in the ocean.

Mac served as president of the Exchange Club of Norfolk, the Norfolk Boys and Girls Club, and was on the board of the local chapter of the Lupus Foundation. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, where he served many times as a deacon and elder.

Mac is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ellen Riley Stephens also of Westminster Canterbury, three children, James Edwin Stephens II (Judy) of Portsmouth, VA, Anne Stephens Dickinson (John), of Windsor, VA, and Susan Stephens Edwards (Scott) of Tiburon, California, and three grandchildren, Amanda and Damon Stephens of Portsmouth, VA, and Alexander Edwards of San Francisco, California. Mac is also survived by a niece, Katherine Rivers of Raleigh, NC and two nephews, Michael and R. Patrick Gomez, of Virginia Beach, VA, and several great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the hospice staff at Westminster Canterbury, and special nurses Candy, Rachel, and Nadine, who Mac called his other daughters.

A memorial service will be held in the Holy Trinity Chapel at Westminster Canterbury on Thursday, August 6 at 2 pm. HD Oliver Funeral Apts., Virginia Beach Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.

Memorial contributions in Mac’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice .

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Published in The Virginian Pilot on Aug. 4, 2015 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?n=edwin-macculloch-stephens&pid=175428494&fhid=15635&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.hMJYl0fJ.dpuf

More images from the USS Franklin 2015 Reunion in Milwaukee

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Stevie O’brien’s presentation on Father Joseph O’Callahan for National History Day

Stevie OBrien, a 12 year old student in Massachusetts recently participated in a National History Day contest where the theme is “Leadership and Legacy”.  For his project he selected Father Joseph O‘Callahan of the USS Franklin.  Stevie came in second in his category of junior historical exhibit at the Massachusetts state competition and he also received the National Archives award in his category for best use of primary sources and the first place junior division award from the National Maritime historical Society.  With a donation from the USS Franklin Museum Association, Stevie competed in the national finals at the University of Maryland in June.  He sent the presentation below to share his trip with the readers of ussfranklin.org.

 

 

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2016 USS Franklin Reunion set for Gettysburg Pennsylvania June 23, 24, and 25th 2016.

At the 2015 Milwaukee reunion general meeting, Joyce Conklin announced that the 2016 USS Franklin Reunion is set for Gettysburg Pennsylvania June 23, 24, and 25th 2016.  The hotel is 1863 Inn of Gettysburg, 516 Baltimore St. Gettysburg, PA 17325.  Their phone number is (717) 334-6211.  Make your reservations ASAP.  Parking and Breakfast is included.

Click the following link to download a PDF File containing all of the Save The Date information:

2016 Franklin Reunion Save The Date