MICHAEL D. ADDINGTON Died Wednesday Evening, May 20, 2020, at Hospice Buffalo, Inc
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MICHAEL D. ADDINGTON Died Wednesday evening, May 20, 2020, at Hospice Buffalo, Inc. in Cheektowaga, New York, at the age of 68. He was a resident of Dunkirk, New York. The cause of death is unknown. He was born in Dunkirk on August 8, 1951, to the late Roy and Ruth (née Stevens) Addington. He lived in Dunkirk for most of his life. Michael was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, Class of 1970. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1971-72, where he received two bronze stars. A member of United Auto Workers local 897. He retired from the Ford Motor Co. Buffalo Stamping Plant, where he was an electrician for many years. Prior to that, he also worked at the Kraft plant in Dunkirk until their closing. He also worked at General Electric in Erie, PA and Better Baked Foods in Westfield. He was a Life Member and the President of Vietnam Veterans of America – Dunkirk Chapter #459 for several years. In his prior years, he was also a member of the VVA Color Guard; he marched in parades for many years and carried the American flag. A chaplain and life member of the John T. Murray VFW Post #1017 for many years. He was also a past commander and served in every office of the post. A life member of Moniusko Club, a life member of Dom Polski Club and a member of Kosciuszko Club. He was a member of the former Lakeshore Marine Corps in Silver Creek and the former Acquavia Post #1344. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he enjoyed the simple things in life. He liked to tinker in his garage, ride his John Deere lawn tractor, watch the deer and the birds and even the squirrels. A member of Allegany Mountain Resort in East Otto, he would camp there often. He enjoyed socializing with his family and friends and his fellow veterans. An all-around nice guy who stood firm by his own values and who would help anyone in need out of kindness alone. He never expected repayment, a selfless heart. Survivors include his wife, Becky J. (Ceranowicz) Addington, whom he married on August 15, 1987; one son, James Addington of Dunkirk; one daughter, Lori Franklin of Salamanca; his grandson, Hendrick Franklin; brother, Jay (late Valerie) Addington of Delta, CO; sister-in-law, Elaine Addington of Oviedo, FL; brother-in-law, Ed Fierro of Reno, NV; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Roy S. Addington; and one sister, Lorraine Fierro. Full military honors and a celebration of life were held at a later date. Arrangements were made by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. HAROLD HENRY “Butch” AHERN – Died Monday, July 10, 2020, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, at the age of 69. The cause of death is unknown. He was born on May 25, 1951. He served in the United States Army both in Korea and Vietnam. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Freedom Chapter #862. EDWARD KALUNA AKI, JR. – Died Wednesday, February 5, 2020 in Morgan Hill, California at the age of 84. The cause of death was acute respiratory failure, septic shock, aspiration pneumonia ischerichia, bacterial etiology and end-state renal disease. He was born in Hawaii on September 5, 1935. He is survived by his wife, Ann J. Aki. He served in the United States Marine Corps with two tours of duty in Vietnam from June 13, 1965 to October 14, 1965 and from March 19, 1969 to March 11, 1970. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – San Jose Chapter #201. CHARLES L. "Chuck" ALBERS - Died Friday, June 19, 2020 at home in Germantown, Illinois, at the age of 71, surrounded by his loving family. The cause of death was bladder cancer. He was born on October 18, 1948 in Belleville, Illinois to the late Ray and Florence (née Vollmer) Albers. After high school, following his parents' deaths, Chuck moved to Germantown to live with his grandparents, the late Henry and Catherine Albers. There, he met Diane "Mert" Dierkes, whom he married May 8, 1971, at Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown by Father Francis Seyer. She survives in Germantown. Chuck's favorite songs were "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Look at Us;" his favorite car was his 1966 blue 396 Chevelle SS; his favorite truck was a Silverado; his favorite boat was a Ranger; his favorite vacation locations were anywhere there were mountains and trees, and all of the national parks plus Alaska, especially Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, WY; and his favorite pastimes were fishing and hunting and fishing and fishing and fishing. He and his wife, "Mert," vacationed in Florida every spring, where they attended Cardinals spring training games; and in the fall, they drove to locations as far east as Nova Scotia, as far north as Crater Lake in Oregon, and anywhere in between. And we almost forgot to mention that his favorite pastime was Fishing! While Chuck and Mert did not have children, in the '70s and '80s, kids from all over town came to their yard to play whiffle ball in the summer, with Chuck as the pitcher, and to play football in the fall, with Chuck as the quarterback. He also coached softball. He was the biggest kid in town! Chuck retired from General Motors (GM) in Wentzville, MO. On January 25, 1989, he saved a coworker's life by administering the Heimlich Maneuver. For his heroic efforts, Chuck was honored by GM with a gold watch, plaque, and luncheon. He proudly served as a medic in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base. He was a member and adjutant of Germantown American Legion Post 325 and a Life Member and Secretary of Vietnam Veterans of America – Breese Chapter #269. In addition to Mert, his wife of forty-nine years, Chuck is survived by his brother, Gary "Goober" (JoAnn) Albers; sisters- in-law, Carolyn (John) Santel, Marita Dierkes Hilmes, Janet Bach, Patricia (Steve) Reed, Shirley (Skip) Etter, JoAnn Sellers, and Kathy Rakers; brother-in-law Leroy "Perk" (Phyllis) Dierkes; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great- nieces, and great-great- nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; father-in-law and mother-in- law, George and Leona, nee Maue, Dierkes; and brothers-in-law Donald "Pete" Dierkes, Gene Hilmes, Stan Bach, Rich Sellers, and Joe Rakers. In lieu of floral pieces, plants, concrete stones and benches, lanterns, wind chimes, and other gifts, the Albers family requests that memorials be made to Germantown American Legion Post #325, Saint Boniface Cemetery, or Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #269. Memorials will be received at church or through Moss Funeral Home, who is serving the family (535 North 5th Street, Breese, IL). Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.mossfuneralhome.com Visitation hours were on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. The Mass of Christian Burial was on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Reverend Father James Buerster presiding. Interment with full military honors was in the Saint Boniface Cemetery in Germantown. The Albers family kindly requested that guests wear a mask, practice social distancing, and refrain from hugs and handshakes at both the visitation and the funeral. SHIELA ANN "Nanny" ANDERSON – Died Thursday, April 2, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of 68. The cause of death was heart failure. She was born on July 18, 1951. A mother to all, she was known for her generous spirit, passion for life, and always open door. An educator for most of her life, she worked for both Lawrence and Washington townships and devoted much of her free time to volunteering. She doted on her garden and her grandchildren in equal measure and could always be counted on to host a euchre game or sit and talk over a cup of coffee. She was a Life Member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America – Indianapolis Chapter #295. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wes Anderson, whom she is now reunited with in heaven. She is survived by her two children, Melanie Brizzi and David Anderson, her six grandchildren—Catherine, Emily, Lauren, CJ, Ella, and Nick—and her "adopted family" the Parks. A memorial service and celebration of her life was held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages people to give to one of Nanny's favorite charities: Operation School Bell. https://www.alindy.org/operation-school-bell.html. JAMES GEORGE “Jim” ASHWELL - Died Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at his home in Newington, Connecticut at the age of 72, with his beloved wife Kathleen at his side. The cause of death is unknown. He was born on January 19, 1948 in Southington, Connecticut to the late William Henry Ashwell and Eleanor (née Ferguson) Ashwell. Jim grew up in Plantsville, CT in the Selah Barnes house (circa 1774). Jim graduated from Cheshire Academy and Valley Forge Military Academy & College in 1968. It was at Valley Forge where Jim's love of God and Country, strength and character, consideration of others, and high sense of duty, honor, loyalty, and courage were fostered. Continuing a family legacy of military service, Jim enlisted in the United States Army and served with the Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division) in Vietnam.