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In Memorium
Joseph A. Downs |
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Verona, WI. Joseph Anthony Downs, age 79, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2004, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 6, 1925, in Tomah, the son of John and Ruth (Miller) Downs. Joe graduated from Tomah High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Navy. He was assigned to the USS St. Lo as a tail gunner on a TBM Avenger. Joe was one of the many brave sailors cited in the recent, non-fiction writing: Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, depicting the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. Following his discharge, Joe attended WSU-Stout (1946-1950) and married his high school sweetheart Shirley Shie of Wilton, WI. on August 20, 1947. Joe was called back to service in 1950 during the Korean Conflict; serving a one year unaccompanied tour in Japan.
For five years the Downs family lived in Mauston, and moved to Madison in 1956 where Joe accepted his first teaching job as an Industrial Arts teacher at the new Cherokee Junior High School. For 35 years Joe was a devoted teacher and mentor to all students and staff at Cherokee. He and Shirley opened their hearts and home to numerous students at risk instilling their educational and family values to everyone they worked with. Joe also taught Driver's Education at Holy Name Seminary, Edgewood, and Madison Area schools. Joe freely volunteered his time and talents to help his family, neighbors, friends, and his church. He continued to serve his WW II shipmates by his work for the USS St. Lo Association for nearly 20 years and its' President for the previous 2 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Shirley; 2 daughters JoAnn (Art) Sosa of Waukesha, and Kathy (Rich) Henderson of Verona; 2 sons Greg (Margaret) Downs of Shorewood, and Mark (Nancy) Downs of Belleville; 9 Grandchildren, brother John Downs of Chicago, IL; sister Pat (Tom) Shanley of Boynton Beach, FL. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim (Betty), and son Jeffrey. The family wishes to thank HospiceCare especially Cathy, Claudia, and David; the Tonto Trail/Demarco Trail neighborhood, and the many caring doctors and staff at the UW Hospital including Dr. Harari, Dr. Ann Trainor, Dr. Howard, and Dr. Cattapan. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 28, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home in Verona with Rosary starting at 4:15 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, September 29 at St. Andrews in Verona at 11:00 with military rites conducted at the burial site. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joe's name to HospiceCare or St. Andrews Church in Verona. |
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Joseph A. Downs
1925 - 2004
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Gene W. Gray |
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Gene W. Gray, 80, of Hemet, CA., passed away February 3, 2006 at his home.A Committal Service with honors will be held on Fri., Feb. 10 at 9:15am at Riverside National Cemetery and a memorial service will follow at the First Presbyterian Church in Hemet at 3pm with reception to follow.
Mr. Gray was born in Los Angeles, CA. He worked 30 years for General Telephone, last as a Network Construction Superintendent. He served in the Navy as a Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class on the USS Midway/St Lo and the USS Lubbock during WWII. While service on the USS St. Lo, he fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf where his ship was the first destroyer in naval history to be hit and sunk by a Japanese kamikaze.
Mr. Gray lived in Hemet for 34 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife and “love of his life”, Susan; 3 daughters, Benita Bowden, Vicki Noe and Kathleen Crow; son-in-laws Jim Browden and Garth Crow; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. |
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Andrew Haugen, Sr. |
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Born August 27, 1921, a lifelong resident of Bethpage passed away September 14, 2003. A WWII Navy Veteran and hard working man all his life, Andrew never gave a thought to himself, only to his living wife, family and friends, all of whom he loved very much. Beloved husband of Louise.
Loving father to Kathy and husband, Daniel Rockhill of Lecompton, KS; Sally and husband, Brian Cassin of Glen Rock, NJ; and Andy Jr. and wife Mary, of Bethpage. Loving brother of Raymond Haugen, Ruth Schulitz, Elsie Burmester and Millie Butler. Cherished grandfather of Zach Rockhill, Gabe Rockhill, Hannah Hurst and husband Ian; Brian O. Cassin and wife, Allison; Olivia Cassin and Ben, Conor Cassin, A.J. Haugen and wife, Donna; Anna Jean Haugen and Jimmy Haugen. Cherished great-grandfather of Henry “Hank” Hurst. A Service was held Thursday, Sept. 18, at the United Methodist Church of Bethpage, with internment following in Long Island National Cemetery, Pinelawn.
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Harry James ‘Jim’ Lutz |
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The funeral service for Harry James ‘Jim’ Lutz was held at Condon Tuesday, April 20, at the United Church of Christ. Mr. Lutz died at The Dalles, Thursday April 15, 2004 at the age of 80.
He was born March 26, 1924 at Lebanon, Oregon and lived and went to school at Harrisburg. He joined the Navy and served from December 1941 until December 1945. His ship the USS St. Lo was sunk by a Japanese Kamikaze in October, 1944. He received the Purple Heart along with several other war-time awards.
Mr. Lutz moved to Condon in 1947 and worked in a variety of positions until retiring from the position of Gilliam County Roadmaster in 1989 after 15 years.
He married Jean Cook on October 2, 1947, and they raised their family of three daughters in Condon.
He was a skilled handyman. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed camping and elk hunting with his friends, watching sports, and he was an avid reader. He was a life member of Condon Elks Lodge No. 1869.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Condon; daughters, Diane Gronholm and Nancy Burns of Milwaukie, and Pam Rainey of Denver, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Jason, Nathan, Ryan, Jeremy, Corey, Nicholas, Lisa and Colin; sisters, Betty Glasscock of Toledo, and Patti Meyer of Riverton, Wyoming; and brothers, Don of McMinnville and Larry of Junction City. Mr. Lutz was preceded in death by brothers, Frank, Stan, Glen and Bob.
Reverend Lauren Allen officiated at the service, Merilee Stewart provided vocal and piano music, and casket bearers were grandsons Nick, Colin, Corey, Nathan Burns; Jason and Jeremy Gronholm. Honorary bearers were David and Bill Wade; Bill, Paul, John and Ernie Barnett; and Stan Carnine. Concluding service and interment were at the Condon Cemetery. Contributions, for those who wish, may be made to the South Gilliam County Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 85, Condon, Oregon
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