March and April
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VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Office of the National Chaplain Taps March/April 2015 STEVEN LAMAR BAKER – Died Tuesday, January 13, 2015 in Fairhope, Alabama at the age of 71. The cause of death was a heart attack. He was born in Fairhope on February 1, 1943. He is survived by his wife Linda. He served in the United States Air Force from April 10, 1964 to April 9, 1968 with a tour in Vietnam from November 1966 to October 9, 1967. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Robertsdale Chapter #864. Funeral services were held on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM in the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope. WILLARD EDWIN “Ed” BAKER – Died Monday, October 1, 2007 in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the age of 60. The cause of death was cancer. He was born in Chattanooga, on February 24, 1947. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Chattanooga Chapter #203. KENNETH JAMES BAST - Died Friday, July 18, 2014 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital due to complications after open heart surgery, at the age of 68 years. He was a resident of Springfield, Minnesota. He was born on November 21, 1945 in Springfield, Minnesota to the late Arlene (née Schwartz) and Richard Bast. Ken grew up in Springfield and after high school drove cattle truck for his uncle, Melvin Krueger. He served in the United States Army from 1966-1968, and is a Vietnam War Veteran, and has passed on his love of country to his children and grandchildren. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Mankato Chapter #999. He then went on to be an employee of Mathiowetz Construction Company for 35 years, and retired as a construction superintendent in 2003. On October 19, 1968, Ken was united in marriage to the love of his life and soul mate, Laura Lee Weber at Saint Raphael Church in Springfield. The couple continued to make their home in Springfield where they raised three children. Ken enjoyed target shooting and reloading ammo. His passion was Corvettes. He enjoyed traveling to the Rocky Mountains and snowmobiling trips with his nephews, son, and son-in-law. He liked everything in nature and created incredibly beautiful flower gardens with Laura Lee. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and teasing his grandchildren. He is survived by wife Laura Lee of Springfield; children Tammy (Kevin) Kohnen of Shakopee, Kari Bast-Payne of Medina, Ohio, and Daniel (Stacy) Bast of Mankato; grandchildren Jordan, Katie and Michelle Kohnen, Joshua and Gabriel Payne, and Thurston Steele; brothers Keith (Fran) Bast and Kelvin (Char) Bast; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. This memorial service is a celebration of Ken's life. The family invites friends and family to share a written statement of how Ken influenced their life. GLENDON GENE BATES - Died at 7:15 AM on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Boardman Campus, following a recent illness at the age of 79. He was a resident of Salem, Ohio and formerly of Lisbon, Ohio. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 12, 1935 in Lisbon to the late Paul Bates and the late Helen J. (née Gillespie) Rouse. Gene was a career United State Army veteran, having served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. He retired as a Sergeant First Class, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an observer on a Huey chopper in Vietnam. He had spent 13 years overseas. From 1978 to 1982, he worked as a custodian at Lisbon David Anderson High School. Gene had then volunteered from 1990 to 1998 at the Veteran's Outreach Center and had driven the DAV van for seven years. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Washingtonville Chapter #40. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eleanor (née Bevan) Bates, whom he married April 7, 1962; daughter, Brenda M. (Ron) Bryarly of Lisbon; sons, John G. (Deborah) Bates of Williamstown, N.J., and Brian J. Bates of Salem; two grandchildren and a step grandson. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Friday at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home with Pastor Ashley McMillin of the Elkton United Methodist Church officiating. Burial with full military honors was at the Lisbon Cemetery. Friends called from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org. Friends may also view Gene's memorial webpage and send condolences online at www.eells-leggett- stauffer.com. JAMES DANIEL “Jim” BECKETTE – Died Thursday, January 15, 2015 in Montgomery Village, Maryland at the age of 73. The cause of death was a stroke and a heart attack. He was born in Staunton, Virginia on January 30, 1941. He served in the United States Navy from August 22, 1966 to November 30, 1964. He served on the USS Forrestal for 2 years. He was a Life Member of Vietnam – Silver Spring - Chapter #641. STEVEN H. BENNETT – Died Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at St. Joseph's Hospital at the age of 61. He was a resident of Elmira, New York. The cause of death was a heart attack. He was born May 31, 1953 in Elmira to the late Edward and Betty (née Wertman) Bennett. He is survived by his loving daughter, Nytosha Bennett of Elmira, NY; siblings: Roger (Teri) Bennett of Atlanta, GA; Regina (Robert) Mansfield of AZ; Mary Ann Bennett (Brad Beaver) of Nashville, TN; uncle, Gene Bennett of Erin, NY; along with several nieces and nephews. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Steve was the Commander of the American Legion Post #154 Elmira Heights, NY, the past President of the Men's Auxiliary at the Rex Field VFW Post #901 Elmira, NY and was a member of the Chemung County Veteran's Honor Squad. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Elmira Chapter #803. Family and friends were invited to attend Graveside Services for Steve at the Woodlawn National Cemetery 1826 Davis Street, Elmira on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 2:00 PM. Chaplain Harold Wacenske of Post #154 officiated. The Chemung County Veteran's Honor Squad accorded Military Honor's for their brother. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to the Rex Field VFW Post #901, 113 Keefe Street, Elmira, NY 14904 in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Elmira, Southport, NY 14904. EDWARD J. BIEHUNKO, JR. - Died Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in Hallettsville, Texas at the age of 74. The cause of death is unknown. He was born on August 16, 1939 to the late Edward and Emilia (née Ehler) Biehunko, Sr. in Lavaca County, Texas. He was a member of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America – Hallettsville Chapter #854, VFW, 23 years with the Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Ed liked gardening, hunting and fishing, but liked most of all, he liked sitting on the porch to visit with his neighbors. He would talk about his days working with his son at the plastic plant. He had mischief ways and he had a smile that you knew he was fixing to do something. He was a great dad and grandpa, we will miss him and we love him so very much, he is our angel. Ed is survived by: son Edward J. Biehunko III & wife Debbie; Reba Biehunko; sister Helen Vasek & husband Eugene Sr.; nephew Eugene Vasek Jr. & wife Marie, all of Hallettsville; 2 step grandchildren, Danielle Galloway and Brandon Weaver; 3 step great grandchildren, Charlie, Sky and Chase; and loving dog Raylee. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother William “Bill” Biehunko. Funeral Mass was at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Visitation was from 4:00 PM on Monday at Kubena Funeral Home with the recitation of the Rosary starting at 7:00 PM. The celebrant was Reverend Msgr. John Peters. The Pallbearers were Brandon Weaver, Johnny Biehunko, Hubert Gerlich, James Sims Jr., Joe Olivarez, and Shawn Christen. The Honorary Pallbearers were Charlie Weaver, Shane Blaner, Chase Cole Haynes, Britley Barrera, Raileigh Barrera, and Briana Mendez. The Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. DWIGHT E. “Ike” BOWMAN - Died Thursday, October 2, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York at the age of 69. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 3, 1945 to late Francis and Melissa Bowman. He was the beloved husband of Edna (née Whittaker) Bowman; brother Robert Bowman and Maryann Hunttenlocker (Gerry); brother-in-law of Larry Sr. (Nancy) Hallman, Gary (Maytha) Cawthard, Roger (Eloise) Richards, Leo (Robin) Kennedy, Roy Whittaker (Teri), Denise Whittaker and Derric (June) Whorton; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family was present on Sunday from 3:00-8:00 PM at the John J. Kaczor Funeral Home, Inc. (Blasdell/Lackawanna Chapel), 3450 South Park Avenue, where the Funeral Service was held on Monday at 11:00 AM. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery. Mr. Bowman was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Tonawanda Chapter #77 and the Black Horse Unit.