Kenneth Westby was killed in action aboard the USS Franklin in the South Pacific. He was buried at sea, his name is also noted on the Punchbowl Cemetery Halls of Honor on the island of Oahu. This marker is in the Dawson cemetery next to his parents and the Westby family stone.
Kenneth was a radio technician and worked with the radar system which had been installed on the USS Franklin.
http://www.hickoryhill-mn.com/Heritagestones.html
Roy A. Weslager / Beloved pianist for Kane patients
July 19, 1926 – Jan. 6, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
When childhood health problems kept him out of school for long periods of time, Roy A. Weslager taught himself to play the piano. That skill would bring joy to many, especially after 1983, when he retired from the LTV steel plant and began making weekly visits to play for patients at the Kane Regional Center in Scott.
He played almost up to the day he died at the center — Saturday. Mr. Weslager, 80, had been a patient there for two months. He was being treated for complications following surgery in October.
“My father never did learn to read music, but if you sang him a song, he could play it,” said his daughter, Nancy Hale of Castle Shannon.
Mr. Weslager played at Kane on Thursdays for more than 20 years, very seldom missing a day. “Everybody loved him — patients and staff. The women would fight over who would sit next to him,” said Sally Finley of Bethel Park, who sings and dances with a group called The Kane Entertainers. Mr. Weslager was their accompanist.
Mr. Weslager grew up in Mount Washington. He and his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth, raised their children in Castle Shannon and moved to Bethel Park when he retired.
Mr. Weslager provided the piano playing and more for The Kane Entertainers.
“He played the old songs like ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart,’ ” Ms. Finley said. “We also did the Hokey Pokey and polkas. He would drive anyone who needed a ride to Kane, including me. We will miss him so and we will miss his piano playing.”
Rita Morreale, who works with volunteers at Kane and schedules their visits, described Mr. Weslager as “a unique individual and a true gentleman who forgot his own ills to bring joy to the patients.”
Mr. Weslager served in World War II in the Navy aboard the USS Franklin. He was one of the founding members of Baldwin United Presbyterian Church and participated in the church’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.
Survivors, in addition to his daughter and wife, include another daughter, Susan Huemrich of Castle Shannon; his twin brother, Robert, of Belle Vernon; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service was held yesterday.
http://postgazette.com/pg/07011/752887-122.stm
EDWARD ROBERT WASSMAN
Edward Robert Wassman, of Larchmont and Brant Lake, NY, died peacefully on January 26, 2008, at the age of 87. Mr. Wassman was awarded the Silver Star during World War II for his heroism on board the U.S.S. Franklin aircraft carrier. He was predeceased in 1998 by his wife of 53 years, Eleanor Humphrey Wassman.
Son of Irene and Edward Wassman, he was born in his parents’ home in New Rochelle, NY, on August 18, 1920. After graduating from New Rochelle High School magna cum laude in 1939, he enrolled at Columbia University in engineering where he was a member of Delta Phi.
With the outbreak of war in Europe, he earned his pilot’s license, and after Pearl Harbor he joined the U.S. Navy as a naval aviation cadet. He served as Deck Officer and Navigator on the U.S.S. Franklin, CV-13, which saw heavy combat duty in the Pacific. When the ship was hit by kamikazes on March 19, 1945, Mr. Wassman risked his life to save five men trapped below decks and was later awarded the Silver Star for his bravery. He then was part of the skeleton crew that sailed “The Ship That Wouldn’t Die” all the way back to New York City. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S.N.R. and in more recent years was Commander of the New York Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States.
At the war’s end, he married his beloved Eleanor and resumed his studies at Columbia, from which he graduated Tau Beta Pi (engineering honor society) in 1948. He worked for Rockefeller Center Incorporated for 35 years rising to Vice President for Construction and Design and eventually President of the Rockefeller Center Construction Corporation and its subsidiaries. During his career, he oversaw the design and building of several major skyscrapers on the Avenue of the Americas as well as buildings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Arizona. Upon retirement, he served as a Construction Consultant for UST in Greenwich, Connecticut.
In addition to devoting himself to country and family, Mr. Wassman was an outstanding community leader. A lifelong member of the Larchmont Avenue Presbyterian Church, he served on the board of Trustees four times, once as President, and on the Session and Deacons as well. For 15 years he chaired the Town of Mamaroneck Zoning Board, and he also served as Chairman of the Board of Architectural Review as well as Chairman of the Mamaroneck Town Republican Committee. He and his family joined Orienta Beach Club in 1957, where he served two terms as President of the Board.
He was a deeply revered and loved father and grandfather. He is survived by his daughter Diane Wassman Darst, Ph.D., and her husband David of Greenwich, CT; his son E. Robert Wassman, Jr., M.D., and his wife Susan of Marblehead, MA, and Seal Beach, CA; and his daughter Debra Wassman Lanman, M.Arch., and her husband Jonathan of Millbrook, NY, and New York, NY. In addition he is survived by six adoring grandchildren: Elizabeth M. Darst and her husband Charles S. Leykum; David M. Darst, Jr.; Eleanor F. Lanman; Jonathan T. Lanman, Jr.; Anna Cecelia Wassman; and E. Robert Wassman, III. As an emblematic member of the “Greatest Generation,” he will live on in our hearts forever.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 1, 2008, at the Larchmont Avenue Presbyterian Church, Forest Park Avenue in Larchmont, NY, with a reception to follow at Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck, NY. Donations may be made in his memory to the Larchmont Avenue Church, the Naval Order of the U.S. New York Commandery, or The Adirondack Council.
JOHN J. FOX FUNERAL HOME, INC.
2080 Boston Post Road
Larchmont, NY 10538
(914) 834-0144
http://www.jjffh.com
http://larchmontgazette.com/2008/obituaries/20080130wassman.html
EUGENE ELLISON WALKER
Columbia – Eugene Ellison Walker, 82, died Sunday, March 5, 2006 in the National Health Center. He
was born in Columbia December 19, 1923, to Julius Henry Walker and Margery Ellison Walker.
After graduating from Dreher High School, Mr. Walker attended and graduated from The Citadel. He then
served in World War II as a fighter pilot in the 5th fighter squadron on the aircraft carrier USS
Franklin. On November 24, 1945, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions on board the USS
Franklin after it was attacked by enemy bomber and fighter planes. At the end of the war, he
continued to serve his country in the South Carolina National Guard. Upon returning home, he entered
the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 1948. he practiced law in Columbia
until his health forced him to retire in 2001. He served in the South Carolina House of
Representatives from 1960 to 1966 and was a lifetime member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Mr. Walker is survived by his sister, Marnie Pearce of Columbia; sons: Eugene Ellison Walker, Jr. of
Lugoff, Sadler Burns Walker of Irmo and Julius Henry Walker III of Lugoff; and six grandchildren. He
was predeceased by brothers, Julius Henry Walker, Jr. and Charles B. Walker.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with burial in Elmwood
Cemetery and Gardens. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
KILLEEN W.C. Walden, 74, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000, in Harker
Heights. He was born July 6, 1926, in Veribest and was a resident of
Maxdale since 1960.
A Navy veteran of World War II, Walden served on the USS Franklin in
the Pacific Theater. He worked in Fort Worth for several years and for
General Motors. Walden also served as a deputy state game warden for
25 years in Bell and Burnet counties. He retired from Cen-Tex
Telephone in 1983 and became a rancher.
Walden married Sarah Sally Bond on Aug. 17, 1947. He is survived by
his wife, their children and grandchildren. His son, Dennis Wayne
Walden preceded him in death in 1995.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Service will be at
2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev.
Ed Jennings officiating. Burial will follow in Maxdale Cemetery.
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/tomgreen/obits/2000/102200.txt
SALVATOR R. TUMINO, 82, of TOMS RIVER (NJ), formerly of Linden, passed away Wednesday, March
19, at Community Medical Center, Toms River. Born in Elizabeth, he was a lifelong
resident of Linden until moving to Toms River six years ago. Mr. Tumino was a tool
grinder for Hyatt Roller Bearing in Clark, for 27 years, retiring in 1986. He was a Navy
veteran of World War II serving on the USS Franklin. His ship was sunk after it was
bombed by Japanese war planes in the Pacific. Several hundred lives were lost. Mr.
Tumino was rescued after enduring many hours in the Pacific Ocean. He was a member of
Knights of Columbus, Linden Council 2859, an avid bowler with the Knights of Columbus
Bowling League, and the Linden Bowling League at Jersey Lanes.
Mr. Tumino was the beloved husband of 50 years to Stella Siano Tumino; devoted father of
Karen Cardone and her husband John of Brick; Donna Breden and her husband Jeffrey of
Lanoka Harbor; and cherished grandfather of Frank, Nicole, Stephen and Nicholas.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday
at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 E. St. George Ave., Linden. A Funeral Mass will
be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Linden. Entombment
will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum, Newark. Send online condolences to
http://www.KrowickiFuneralHome.com
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/OBITUARIES/803220343
Tarr, Bernard Jr., 81
Ada
Services for Bernard Tarr Jr. will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada, by Pastor Jack Duffy. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada, with graveside military services by Ada VFW Post 9381.
Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday and until time of services Saturday.
He died at 12:48 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
He was born June 21, 1925, in Lima, to Bernard E. and Cora Katherine (Eberle) Tarr Sr. and they are deceased. On July 2, 1949, he married Doris E. Evans and she died Nov. 13, 1996.
Surviving are three sons, Michael Tarr of Lima and David Tarr and Ronald (Dawn) Tarr, both of Ada; a stepdaughter, Deloris Congrove of Ada; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Roger (Darlene) Tarr of Ada.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth W. Tarr and a sister, Betty Quattrocchi.
He retired from Westinghouse Corp. of Lima after 35 years. He worked as a renewal parts specialist. He formerly worked at the Ohio Kentucky Manufacturing Co. of Ada.
A 1943 graduate of Ada High School, he attended First Baptist Church of Ada. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during World War II aboard the USS Franklin when attacked. He was a life member of Ada VFW Post 9381 and a member of Ada Men’s Bowling Association, Lima Area Radio Control Society and Lima Sabers Shooting Club.
Memorials may be made to Ada VFW Post 9381, 2147 Ohio235, Ada, OH 45810.
Condolences may be sent to hansonneely@wcoil.com.
http://www.kentontimes.com/kentontimes/obits/obit102506.html
STEGNER, DeWAYNE HUBBARD November 8, 1918 to April 13,2008 DeWayne Hubbard (Ted) Stegner
passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on April 13th, at the Coronado Villa care
facility. Ted was the only child of retired Army Major DeWayne Oswald Stegner and his
wife, Gladys Hubbard Stegner and he was born November 8, 1918, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
His father moved the family to Downey, California when Ted was a youngster and that is
where he grew up. At the start of World War II, Ted enlisted in the United States Navy,
went to Officer Candi-dates School and then flight school and was pleased to have been
presented with his wings as a Naval Aviator on the same day that he married his
sweetheart, Maxine Emerick, in Corpus Christi, Texas. During the war, Ted served as the
pilot of a dive bomber in Squadron VB-5 and saw repeated action in the South Pacific
Theater against the Japanese sea and air forces . In March of 1945, he was the last
pilot to fly his plane off the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV13) before the carrier
was hit by a torpedo during an engagement off the coast of Japan. Ted was also a naval
aviator during the Korean War and flew C-130 cargo planes during the Vietnam War and
retired in 1969 as a Commander after 29 years of service in the Navy. After his military
retirement, he attended City College and San Diego State University to obtain his
Master’s degree in Education and taught social studies, history and mathematics at
Montgomery Junior High School in Otay Mesa for many years. A loving husband to his wife,
Maxine, and a devoted father to his sons, DeWayne and David Stegner of San Diego, Ted
will be deeply missed by them and by all of his friends and students who had the
privilege and honor to have known this remarkable man. Funeral Service is at 11 a.m.,
Saturday, April 19th, at Community Mortuary, 855 Broadway in Chula Vista.
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 4/18/2008.
http://www.legacy.com/SignOnSanDiego/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=107856236
Victor Spataro
World War II veteran
Victor J. Spataro, 83, of Wilkins, formerly of Penn Hills, died May 9, 2007.
A World War II Navy veteran who served aboard USS Franklin in the Philippines, Mr. Spataro was a retired employee of General Tire and Rubber in Pittsburgh.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy (Collinger) Spataro; children, Valerie Lang of Pleasant Hills, John Spataro of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Michael Spataro of Oakdale; and six grandchildren.
There was no visitation. Mass was celebrated in St. Colman Church. Interment with military honors was at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Patrick T. Lanigan Funer-al Home, Turtle Creek.
Russell Leonard Smith, Capt. USN, Ret. 84 died at Kent County Hospital on February 13, 2007 after a period of failing health. He was born in Whitman, Ma. October 22, 1922. He was the son of the late Arthur L. Smith and Delia May (Rose) Smith. His wife, Moree (Bosscher) Smith predeceased him on August 2004.
Russell graduated from West Springfield High School in Ma. and Brown University. He enlisted in the US Navy in Sept. 1942 as a Naval Aviation Cadet and became a Torpedo Bomber Pilot. He served in the Pacific during WWII and was a survivor of the bombing of the USS Franklin in the Sea of Japan, receiving the Asiatic/Pacific Medal with Battle Star for his service there. He also was the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal, among others. While serving on another ship, he aided in the recovery of several astronauts including the very first Mercury recovery of Alan Shephard. He was transferred to the USS Kersarge where he also aided in the pickup of Col. Gordon Cooper and Capt. Conrad. He later served two tours of duty at the Pentagon, and also became the Commanding Officer of NAS South Weymouth from which he retired after 30 years in the US Navy. He was a life member of TROA (Military Officer) and DeMolay.
Both of his brothers, Robert Smith and Arthur Smith predeceased him, He leaves his sisters- in-law Dorothy Smith of Agawam, MA and Margery Smith of Ludlow, Ma., He also leaves a niece, Darlene Spencer of Agawam,. and nephews, Robert R. Smith, of Easthampton, Ma, Donald A. Smith of Zelienople, Pa., Russell Smith of Gales Ferry, Ct, Bryan Smith of Nashua, NH, Alan Smith of Silverdale, WA, and Christopher Smith of Ludlow, Ma. His grand niece Stephanie Rocheford of Venice, Fla, grandnephews Eric Smith of Monson, Ma. and Matthew Smith of Md and his wife’s nephew Steven Gabeler of Sudbury, Ma., as well as many other nieces and nephews of his late wife’s. He will be sadly missed by all, most especially by his best friends Tina and Carl Bishop and Doris Soder of Warwick, who spent many enjoyable hours on the golf course and in each others company over the years. This feeling is also shared by Rob Gatta and family of N.Y., who were his next door neighbors for many years, and Pam and Bob Murphy, also next door neighbors.
Funeral services at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home will be Friday Feb. 23 at 12 noon with Pastor Brian Wood, from the Asbury United Methodist Church officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be at the R.I. Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of ones choice will be appreciated. Information and condolences at http://www.carpenterjenks.com.
http://obit.carpenterjenks.com/obit_display.cgi?id=382354&listing=All
USSFRANKLIN.ORG 