MATHEWS, DONALD

1931 – 2024 Donald Mathews passed peacefully at age 93 with family by his side. He will be profoundly missed.Don graduated from UC Berkeley in 1953 and was commissioned into the US Navy. That same year he married musician Lou Young from Hollister, CA. Married 65 years, they raised 3 daughters, Robin, Carol, and Jennifer.A career Naval Aviator, Don flew …

BROWN, GEORGE

1933 – 2024 Mr. George Norman Brown, 91, of Linden, passed away on Friday March 15, 2024 peacefully at his home. He was born in Clifton, Tn. to the late George Washington Brown and Ethel Culp Brown.After graduating high school, from BGA in Franklin, Tn. he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was stationed in San Diego, CA on the …

WREN, GAYLORD

1940 – 2024 Gaylord Cleveland Wren, 83, of Port Orchard, WA was born August 24, 1940 in Port Orchard, and passed away in Gig Harbor, WA on February 19, 2024. Gaylord served in the United States Navy and spent time on the USS Yorktown. He belonged to the Local Laborer’s Union #252, enjoyed traveling and reading the Bible morning and …

SCHEER, LAWRENCE

1924 – 2024 Commander Lawrence Earnest Scheer USN (Retired after 25 years) was born on February 8th, 1924, on a farm near Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and went to be with his Lord on February 20th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Geraldine Scheer, his wife of 64 years, Helen Erlene Hoppes Scheer, his wife of …

GRESHAM, PHILIP

1931 – 2024 Philip Hoke Gresham, 92, of Demorest, formerly of Duluth, died on March 1, 2024. Born Aug. 20, 1931, he was a stoic man—a U.S. Navy veteran, business owner, and an independent thinker. He grew up working a dusty farm share near Winder, the second oldest of nine children and the eldest son. In his early years of …

JENSEN, ROBERT

1926 – 2024 Robert J. Jensen passed away on February 24,2024 at the age of 98. He was born in Minneapolis and went to West High School. In 1943 he joined the Navy in May 1943 and served on the USS Yorktown as a Fireman in V-6 Division from September of that year until the end of World War II. …

ELSNER, PHILLIP

1943 – 2023 Phillip Elsner passed away September 5, 2023. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Phil served on the USS Yorktown with VS-23 during the Vietnam War as a Photographers Mate 3rd class. Phil once told us that as a kid he had a dream that he was in the Navy. He thought it may have come from watching the show, …

DEMAS, RICHARD

1945 – 2024 Richard Edward Demas, of St Johnsbury, Vt., passed away on Monday Jan. 15, 2024. Ric was born July 1, 1945, the eldest of five to Merrill Demas and Hazel (Pittsley) Demas of South Barre, Vermont. Ric grew up in South Barre and graduated Spaulding High in 1964. Following graduation, Ric enlisted in the Navy, and after training …

SADDLER, GARY

1941 – 2024 Gary Lynn Saddler was born on June 17, 1941, in Colby, KS, the son of Guy and Berta Saddler. He died Monday, January 29, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.Gary grew up on his parent’s farm near Gem, KS, and went to grade school, jr. and sr. high school in Gem, KS. Upon his high …

BERRY, GILBERT

1948 – 2024 Gilbert “Gil” Leon Berry passed at age 75 at his home in Lyndonville, Vt. His family was by his side. Gil was born in Barton, Vt. on July 25, 1948 to the late George and Naomi (Gilman) Berry Sr. He was raised on the family farm in Sheffield, Vt. and married Frances Catanzarita on July 31, 1999. …

TARNAWSKI, MICHAEL

1943 – 2024 Michael Gale Tarnawski, aged eighty, died the afternoon of January 27, 2024, of natural causes as family members comforted him while at Morton Plan North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey, Florida at the time of his passing.Born November 11, 1943, to Mildred Beccue and Michael Tarnawski in Moose Lake, Minnesota, Mickey’s favorite activities were hunting and …

MANSFIELD, HOWARD

1938 – 2023 Howard P. Mansfield, Sr., 85, passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 28, 2023. Born in Burlington, VT on April 18, 1938, he was the son of Seth Mansfield and Ilene Gage. He married the love of his life, Marylee Mansfield on September 15, 1956.Howard served in the Navy from Jan. 1956 to Nov. …

CAMBLIN, ROBERT

1937 – 2023 Robert “Bob” Earl Camblin passed away peacefully at home on 11/29/23 at age 86. Bob was born on Jan. 6th, 1937, the son of Wayne L. and Marjorie E. Camblin. Bob grew up in Atlantic Iowa. He attended Atlantic High School where he was active with football, basketball, track and band. He graduated from AHS in 1955. …

WELLS, JOSEPH

1942 – 2023 Joe Wells, born on August 7 th , 1942 in Kansas, passed away on October 4, 2023 in Bakersfield surrounded by his family. Joe was given up for adoption as an infant, and made it to Oildale where he was adopted by Sylvester and Alma Wells. He was raised along side his two sisters Martha and Louise. …

HETRICK, BERNARD

1937 – 2024 Bernard E. “Tink” Hetrick, of Reynoldsville, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was born August 1, 1937 at his home in Hormtown, PA. His parents were Elmer Martin Hetrick and Kathryn Annabelle Burkhouse. He grew up on a farm with his parents and siblings, Margaret (Richard) Stover, Doris (Joe) Dickey, Robert (Sandy), Thomas, Harry (Darla), …

BROWN, HENRY

1925 – 2024 Roy was born April 5, 1925, in Great Falls, South Carolina. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1943 and entered the Navy April 4, 1943, the day before his 18th birthday. Roy served on the USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) participating in the Philippine operation, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa Campaigns. He was part of a force that …

HEDLUND, JACK

1930 – 2024 Jack C. Hedlund, age 93, of Siren, WI passed away on Jan. 11, 2024, at Burnett Medical Center Continuing Care, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Sept. 4, 1930, in Grantsburg to the late Carl Hedlund and Mildred Peterson. Jack was a talented athlete and excelled in sports during his time at the Grantsburg …

PRATER, CHARLEY

1935 – 2024 Charley Paul Prater, 88, passed Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at his farm doing what he loved. He was born Feb. 5, 1935, in Egypt, AR to the late William Jackson and Stella Bridges Prater. Charley graduated from Egypt High School in 1953 and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1953 until 1957. …

DUFFY, DAVID

1938 – 2023 Attended Kearny High. Navy Airman on the USS Yorktown. Worked in aerospace and insurance. Loved hunting, fishing and family. Service Jan. 24 1:00PM Miramar National Cemetery. Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 11, 2024.

TRAMA, THOMAS

1946 – 2022 Thomas Steven Trama, 76, passed away on September 14, 2022 in Palm Coast, Florida. Thomas was born on April 12, 1946 in Iron Mountain, Michigan to the late Stephen and Marie Trama. He was a Vietnam Veteran that served in the Navy. He had a thirty-year career with UA 630 Plumbers & Pipefitters. He is survived by …

TOLES, WAYNE

1936 – 2024 George Wayne Toles, Age 87, of Rome, GA passed away Friday, January 5, 2024. Mr. Toles was born in Cherokee County, AL on November 23, 1936, son of the late William Taylor Toles and the late Winnie Toles.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Trapp Toles, by seven brothers, Robert, Doyle, D. C., …

LUKENS, VIRGIL

1931-2023 Virgil A. Lukens, 92, of Herrin, passed away Friday, July 14, 2023 at his home in Herrin, IL. Virgil owned and operated Lukens Refrigeration for 46 years in Herrin. He retired in 1996 from the Carbondale Clinic as the Maintenance Supervisor. Virgil was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Virgil was a U.S. …

2024 Yorktown Reunion

Yes we just completed our 2023 Reunion and a mini recap is in this issue. And, yes we are talking about “2024”. As you’ve probably seen in your everyday life, things are moving faster – it seems; and planning events takes longer. So here’s a snapshot.October 9 – 12, 2024. Write the dates on the calendar. Tell all your shipmates, …

WILLIAMS, CLYDE

1930 – 2023 Clyde Williams, 93, joined his Heavenly Father on November 19, 2023. Clyde was born on April 13, 1930, on the family farm in Springhill Township, Johnson County, KS. His first eight years of schooling were in a one room country school. He then attended Olathe public high school, graduating in 1948. Clyde attended Kansas University under the …

DUFFENBACH, STEVEN

1945 – 2023 Steven Gene Duffenbach, 78, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully on December 15, surrounded by loved ones. Steven was born on November 10, 1945, to Eugene and Yvonne Duffenbach. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Yorktown.Steven was honorably discharged in 1967. Steven then …

BRIGHT, JAMES

1933 – 2023 Memorial services for James Mitchell Bright, 90 who died Tuesday December 26, 2023 in Madison, MS will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 02, 2024 at St. Mary Basilica. Mass will be celebrated by Father Aaron Williams and concelebrated by Father Francis Cosgrove. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 02, 2024 at St. Mary …

LEDLOW, KENT

1943 – 2023 Kent Ledlow passed into eternity on October 29, 2023 in Lakewood, Colorado. The last years of his life were spent at the Westlake Care Community in Lakewood, where he was lovingly cared for.Kent was born on November 10, 1943 to Elaine and Carl Ledlow of Denton. Kent studied at the University of North Texas from September 1961 …

BERGFELD, CLARENCE

1937 – 2023 Clarence Richard Bergfeld, who served on the USS Yorktown from 1954 to 1958 as a Metalsmith Petty Officer 3rd Class, passed away November 20, 2023 at the age of 86. Clarence was born May 18, 1937. He was living in Sun City, AZ with his wife Karen.

DRUMELLER, KENT

Edward Kent Drumeller of Florissant, MO passed away at his home on August 8, 2023. Kent was a Communication Watch Officer on the USS Yorktown (CVS-10) from 1962 to 1964, before he was reassigned to a Navy shore communications station in Alaska. He was a fellow with an enormous heart for his fellow shipmates, notwithstanding his own failing heart that …

BECKSCHI, PETER

1940 – 2023 Peter F. Beckschi III, 83, of Jamison, passed away Friday, November 16, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Gertrude A. “Trudy” (Colbert) Beckschi. Born June 25, 1940 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Peter M. and Hedwig T. (Gutowicz) Beakschi. Peter served proudly in the United States Navy on the Yorktown and USS …

HEDBERG, CHARLES

1933 – 2023 On October 2, 2023, Charles “Chic” Hedberg died peacefully at home at the age of 90. Hedberg, the youngest of four, was born in Brooklyn on January 28, 1933 to Marie (Mueller) and J.O. Viking Hedberg. He attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn for high school and studied mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He was a …

DAVIS, CARLTON

1922 – 2023 Carleton Warner Davis, Sr., passed away at 101 years of age on Friday afternoon, November 17, 2023. Carleton was born in East Braintree, MA on November 8, 1922 and graduated from Braintree High School. Following high school, he was employed at the Fore River Shipyard before enlisting in the United States Navy and training to be a …

SCHULTZ, DAVID

1947 – 2023 David Schultz, 76, of Terryville, Connecticut passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at home. He was born September 23, 1947, in Hartford, son of the late Edward and Nellie (Kucirka) Schultz.David proudly served in the US Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Waterbury Printing. David was very active …

SIMANTS, SONNY

1937 – 2023 Leo Eugene “Sonny” Simants, 86, of North Platte passed away Nov. 2, 2023 at Great Plains Health. He was born May 22, 1937 to Albert and Lucille (Konruff) Simants in Tryon. Sonny attended Whitehorse school and entered the United States Navy at 17 years old. He served on the USS Yorktown in the far East. After being …

STEVENS, MICHAEL

1942 – 2023 On October 26, 2023, Michael Leroy Stevens, 81, passed away at his home in Atlantic Beach, FL, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to John and Jean Stevens, who raised him in Olean, NY. After graduating high school in 1959, Mike joined the US Navy and served for 3.5 years where one of his first …