Charles L. Finkenstedt, 90, of Latonia, Kentucky passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015 at his home with his family. He served his country as a decorated WWII Navy Veteran and served on the USS Franklin Air Craft Carrier, a retired security guard with Pinkerton and Kroger’s and member of First Church of God, Latonia. Preceded in death by his wife Audrey Evans Finkenstedt and daughter Modine Davis. Survivors include 4 daughters Maxine Rouse of Ludlow, Carol (Maurice) Decker of Alexandria, Shirley (Paul) Bogle of Burlington and Charlene (Steve) Glacken of Latonia; also survived by many grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. Visitation 9-11 AM and funeral 11 AM Friday, February 27, 2015 all at SWINDLER & CURRIN FUNERAL HOME, LATONIA. Interment Floral Hills Cemetery. Memorials to American Heart Association , 240 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222. For private online condolences and directions please go to swindler-currinfh.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nky/obituary.aspx?n=charles-l-finkenstedt&pid=174251742&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.P2uqTiDv.dpuf

William Vitali Herman WWII Navy radioman and oil company dispatcher who owned Elizabeth bakery William Vitali Herman, formerly of Elizabeth, N.J.; Linden, N.J., and Clark, N.J., passed away on Jan. 12, 2015, at his home in Irving, Texas. Visitation will be at The McCracken Funeral Home, 1550 Morris Ave., Union, N.J. 07083, on Monday, Jan. 19, from 2 to 5 p.m., with a Parastas at 3 p.m. Services will be at SS. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, Elizabeth, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m., with entombment to follow at Graceland Memorial, Kenilworth, N.J. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., William was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1942 to 1946 on the U.S.S. PC 615, U.S.S. Franklin CV13 and the U.S.S Adirondack AGC 15 under the flag of Admiral Briscoe. He achieved the rank of radioman RM 2/C, receiving his training at Northwestern University. After the war, William graduated from Rider University with a B.S. degree and managed the Ritz, Regent and Elmora theaters. He worked for Con Weimar and Bond Transportation and retired from BP Oil in 1986 as a dispatcher. He and his wife, Anne Zavoda Herman, owned and operated the Vilan Bakery in the Elmora section of Elizabeth, N.J., for many years before moving to Clark, where they lived for more than 45 years. William was a member of the American Legion Clark Post and the Loyalty Lodge F&AM in Union and was past master of Orient Lodge in 1961. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church in Elizabeth, N.J., and St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Euless, Texas. William is survived by his beloved wife, Anne, of Irving, Texas; daughter, Karen Steffaro and her husband, Robert, also of Irving; son, William Herman and his wife, Nancy (Kushnerick); and two granddaughters, Alexandra and Julia of Rochester, Mich. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to SS. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, 158 Stiles St., Elizabeth, N.J. 07208 or St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 303 Cullum Drive, Euless, Texas 76040.
Published in Star-Ledger on Jan. 18, 2015
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THOMAS JOSEPH CONNELLY
Tom, 89, formerly of Penn Hills, died Thursday evening, February 12, 2015. Son of Thomas Connelly and Bridie Lavelle of Clifden and Streamstown, Ireland; beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Ludwig) Connelly; beloved father of Lynda (Frank) Pastor, Terence (Deborah) Connelly, Gregory (Carol) Connelly, Kathleen Blattenberger and Sean (Laura) Connelly; brother of Mary Louise Sullivan and the late Patrick and George Connelly; grandfather of Shannon, Sean, Ryan, Darren, Meg and Cate. Tom was a retired foundry superintendent with U.S. Steel Corporation at the Edgar Thompson Works in Braddock. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was a Navy veteran serving aboard the U.S.S. Ben Franklin CV-13 during the Pacific campaign during World War II. On March 19, 1945, off the coast of Japan, a Japanese bomber managed to infiltrate the carrier’s airspace and dropped two 500 pound bombs severely damaging the vessel. Heroic efforts by the crew saved the ship while 739 shipmates perished . He was a member of the American Legion and the Oakmont Elks. Tom volunteered his time as a tax advisor especially aiding the elderly with their tax returns. He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Verona. An avid Pittsburgh sports team fan, Tom loved the Pirates, Panthers, Steelers and Arnold Palmer. He loved Ireland especially his relatives and family home in Clifden, County Galway. Friends and relatives will be received at BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont on Monday, February 16, 2015, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Verona on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 10 a.m. Family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2015
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Richard Allen Bloom September 10, 1926 February 10, 2015 Richard Allen Bloom, 88, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, February 10, 2015, at Greenhills Village, State College. He was born September 10, 1926, in Altoona a son of the late Paul and Ruth (Boyer) Bloom. He married his beloved wife of sixty-six years Norma Ruth Chamberlain in 1946, in Townsend, Md. Surviving are his two daughters, C. Ann Bloom and Sherry J. Bloom, both of State College; brother, Donald Bloom, of Dover, Del. Richard was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Sparks. Mr. Bloom attended the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, State College and formerly attended Altoona Bible Church, Altoona. He was a 1945 graduate of Altoona High School. Richard was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII attaining the rank of Seaman First Class. He was a survivor of the bombing by the Japanese of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin “Big Ben” in March of 1945. He retired as an electrician from Conrail in June 1990, after 37 years service. After his retirement from the railroad, Richard was employed as an oxygen technician for Dick’s Homecare, Altoona with 15 years service. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2015, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Stewart W. McClelland officiating. Interment will be made at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Funeral Home Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc 501 6Th Ave Altoona, PA 16602 (814) 942-7747

Published in Centre Daily Times on Feb. 12, 2015 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/centredaily/obituary.aspx?n=richard-a-bloom&pid=174125761&fhid=28127&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.o6GHumhg.dpuf Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/centredaily/obituary.aspx?n=richard-a-bloom&pid=174125761&fhid=28127&eid=sp_ommatch#storylink=cpy

Paul L. Butts

December 22, 1925 – February 11, 2015

Paul L. Butts, 89, was born in Milfay, Oklahoma, to Wesley L. Butts and Bonnie Long. He served aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), “The Ship That Wouldn’t Die,” during World War II.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Allie Merle Butts. He was survived by his sons Garry and Freddie Butts, his brother Dean, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and members of his extended family.

Published by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Aurora through Dignity Memorial. See more at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/aurora-co/paul-butts-6323509

Irving L. Kidwell passed away April 26, 2013, at the Mandrin House in Annapolis, MD.

Mr. Kidwell served in the Navy on the USS Franklin, CV 13, in World War II, where he was awarded an Honorable Discharge and Bronze Star Metal from the United States Navy. He served in the Lions Club, State Roads Commission and Chamber of Commerce. He was a Banker, Real Estate Broker and a General Contractor.

Mr. Kidwell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ida May Kidwell; a son, Leroy W. Kidwell and wife Karen; three daughters, Susan K. Kidwell, Laura F. Strickland and her husband Manning, Catherine L. Kidwell and her husband Mark Puleo; a stepdaughter, Blanche Radich, a stepson, Charles Sellner and his wife, Barbara; and one brother, Dellburt Kidwell and his wife Beverly; 15 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

MANCHESTER – Andre J. Vincent, 89, died Jan. 4, 2015 at Concord Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born in Manchester on Aug. 10, 1925, the son of William and Germaine (Belanger) Vincent and had been a lifelong resident of Manchester.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Franklin, which was dive bombed by the Japanese during World War II.

Prior to his retirement he was the owner and operator of Andre’s Hair Salon in Milford for more than 50 years.

Family members include two sisters, Carmen McInnis and Simone P. Richard, one sister-in-law, Theresa Vincent, all of Manchester, six nieces, Carol Scott, Janice Bantis, Priscilla Vincent, Diane McInnis, Diane Nascimento, Denise Dunham, two nephews, Alfred “Buster” McInnis, Greg McInnis, several great nieces, great nephews and several cousins.

He was predeceased by one brother, Conrad Vincent.

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services: Calling hours will be on Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m. at J. N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home, 110 Bridge St., Manchester.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Raphael Church, 103 Walker St., Manchester. Committal prayers and Entombment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Brigham & Women’s Hospital to support pancreatic cancer research, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd Floor, Boston MA. 02116.

For more information and online guestbook please visit http://www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.
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