July and August
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VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Office of the National Chaplain Taps July/August 2013 RODGER LEE BERRY - Died Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Abington Hospice at Warminster, Pennsylvania after a long, courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 68 years of age. He had been a resident of the Warrington, Pennsylvania and Warminster areas since 2008 and previously had lived in Warsaw, Indiana, for 30 years. He was born January 1, 1945, in Paris, Illinois. He was a truck driver for various companies before retiring in 2009. He served in the United States Army for 14 years, serving in Korea, Vietnam and the United States. On November 21, 1968, he married Mary K. Laincz at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. They would have celebrated their 45th anniversary this year. He was a member of the American Legion, an At- Large Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America - Pennsylvania, and the AMVETS. He is survived by his wife, Mary K. Berry; his children, Tracy Lynn Tobalt (Paul), Kimberly Ann Lame (Jim), and Rodger Lee Berry II (April); his 14 grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Gary Berry (Nancee) of Ohio, Walter Berry (Joann) of Indiana, and Glenn Berry (Sherry) of Indiana; his sisters, Leona Good (Kevin) of Indiana, and Deanna Dillon (Steve) of Mississippi; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Berry and Marian Lang Berry Shoemaker; and his stepfather, Russell Shoemaker. Funeral services were held at 8:00 PM Tuesday, June 4, at The Decker Funeral Home, 216 York Road, Warminster, where calling hours were from 7:00 PM until the start of the service. Memorial donations may be made to Abington Hospice, 225 Newtown Road, Warminster, PA 18974, and the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Road, Suite 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422. The Decker Funeral Home, WILLIAM J. “Bill” BISCHAK - Died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at home in Monaca, Pennsylvania with his loving family at his side. He was 69 years of age. The cause of death is unknown. He was born September 8, 1943 in Monaca to the late John E. and Louise Ann (née Montague) Bischak. He was a graduate of Monaca High School, Class of 1962. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded Overseas Service Bar, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Expert Rifle. He was a retired driver for Yellow Freight and a member of the Teamsters Union for 30 years. He served as past commander of Monaca American Legion Post #580 and was a member of Monaca VFW Post 4653 and West Middlesex VFW. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Freedom Chapter #862. He leaves a son, William R. Bischak of Monaca; a daughter, Sharon B. Bischak and her companion, Josh Weese of Monaca; the mother of his children, Judy (Gilpin) Bischak of Monaca; four grandchildren who were the 'Apple of his Eye' , Joshlyn, Emily and twins, Zoey and Zachary Weese; six siblings, Nancy (Lex) Byers in California, George Bischak in Florida, Ann (Anthony) Marchione of Monaca, Sarah (Lowell) Thompson in Ohio, Frank (Helen) Bischak of Economy and Mike (Alice) Bischak of New Sewickley Township; a brother-in-law, Mick Fetkovich in Oklahoma; a cousin, Jack (Joan) Montague and many nieces and nephews living locally and throughout the United States. In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by six siblings, Mary Bischak, John (Grace) Bischak, Robert (Ree) Bischak, Pauline Bischak, Emily Fetkovich and James Bischak. Friends received family and friends on Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca where parting prayers will be offered Monday at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Interment was in the parish cemetery. Full military honors were provided by the Beaver County Special Unit at the cemetery at 10:45 AM. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to VITAS Hospice for all the comfort and care given to Bill. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to Disabled American Veterans, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. JOHN W. BOLAN - Died at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at the age of 86. The cause of death is unknown. He was born in Gallitizin, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1927. He was a retired Veteran of the United States Navy serving 24 years and three wars; WW II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was a fourth degree member of Knight of Columbus Council #4885, he was a member of the American Legion Father & Son Post in Edison, the Italian-American Club in Edison and the VFW in Woodbridge. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – New Brunswick Chapter #233. John was predeceased by his wife, Rena in 2002 and his son, Thomas in 1987. He is survived by his son, John P. Bolan of Edison; his brother, Eugene Bolan of Iselin; his sister, Phyllis Long of Summerhill, PA; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. Funeral Services took place at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at the Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Ave. Edison; followed by a 10:30 AM Mass at Guardian Angels RC Church in Edison under Transfiguration of the Lord Parish; interment was at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway. Family and friends visited on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 PM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Knights of Columbus Council #4885 for the Mentally Challenged Drive (Tootsie Roll Drive). RICHARD HAROLD BRACKETT - Died Saturday, May 4, 2013 in Whitwell, Tennessee at the age of 68. The cause of death was pancreatitis, coronary artery disease and hypertension. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 11, 1945 to the late John C. and Iñez E. (née Camp) Brackett. He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran and an avid classic car enthusiast. He never met a person he could not make a friend or at least be friendly. He loved people and they loved him. He will be truly missed, but Heaven is a brighter place with his presence. He was a member of the Baptist Hill Baptist Church and the Open Door Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #297, Jasper, Tennessee. He was a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America – Chattanooga Chapter #203. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his brothers, Robert, Jimmy, Carl and Johnny Brackett and his sister, Glynda Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Carol Diane Lewis Brackett; sister, Barbara (Eugene) Roach , Ringgold, GA; brothers, Roy (Carolyn) Brackett, Jasper, TN, Joe (Catherine) Brackett, Jasper, TN, and David (Helen) Brackett, Chattanooga, TN; daughters, Jeannie Mitchell, Myrtle Beach, SC, Starr Rushing, Jasper, TN ; Step-son, James Ray ( Lynn) Lewis, Smithville, MO; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted from the funeral home chapel at 1:00 PM CDT, Tuesday, May 7, 2013, with Brother Gene Lewis and Brother Roger Webb co-officiating. Interment was in Lakewood West Memory Gardens. The family received friends from 2:00 PM CDT until 8:00 PM CDT, Monday, May, 6, 2013. HELEN LOUISE BROOKS, R.N. (CPT, USNR (Retired) – Died Wednesday, May 1, 2013 in San Diego, California at the age of 94. The cause of death was natural causes. She was born September 20, 1918 in Lowell, Massachusetts. She attended Barlett Junior High and Lowell High School. She earned Bachelors of Science in Nursing Education at Boston University, Massachusetts, B.S. in Nursing Service Administration at Columbia University New York City. She was in Emergency and Operating Room Nursing, U.S. Naval Hospital, Camp Davis, North Carolina for battalion of Royal Netherlands Marine Corps training in the United States during World War II. She served 30 years in the United States Navy. She was an Operating Room Supervisor and Instructor aboard the USS Constellation (AH-15) (Hospital Ship) during Korean War. She was the Chief, Nursing Services at the Station Hospital, Naval Support Activity, Danang, Vietnam. She was the Director, Nursing Services at the Health Bureau, Panama Canal Zone Government; two general hospitals (one at each end of the Canal) 1 Psychiatric Hospital, 1 Leprosarium, 1 School and Public Health Unit. She retired permanently and established her home in San Diego, California. She was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". She re-wrote the manual "Operating at Sea" for the U.S. Navy. She was laid to rest on May 13, 2013. A memorial mass was celebrated at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church in La Jolla, California at 10:00 AM. She was buried at Miramar National Cemetery San Diego with full military honors at 11:30 AM. She is survived by six nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews, many great-great-nieces and nephews. WILLIAM D. BUTLER – Died Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in Dracut, Massachusetts at the age of 65. He was formerly of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The cause of death is unknown. He was born in West Roxbury on May 13, 1948. He was the loving father of Clarissa Butler of Waban; devoted brother of Mary Ellen Butler of West Roxbury and the late Robert Butler.