Deceased
Join us as we say goodbye to those we have loved and lost.
Colonel Ralph Parker Dixon Jr.
Colonel Ralph Parker Dixon Jr., USA Retired passed away on Monday, November 9. I have attached his obituary with the permission of his daughter, Janet Dixon Nardone. This soldier was captured on April 25, 1951 and was in Camps #3, #5, and #2 until his release on September 4, 1953. Like many of those who served in Korea, Colonel Dixon went on to live a full life in the service of his country.
Paul T. O’Dowd LTC
Captured in Hoengsong North Korea Feb 12 1951 was one of the last to cross “Freedoms Bridge”… the “Bridge of No Return” Sep 6 1953. Declared a KIA but Came home Paul T. O’Dowd LTC. US Army Ret. American Hero Patriot, and my dad passed away at his home. He will be interned at Arlington VA. with Full Military Honors, Dec 3 2015. 3:30 pm . Any one wishing to attend please respond to the family. Thank you in advance for disseminating this to other POW’s.
Martin Joseph Tullio
TIGER CALLED TO GLORY
Martin Joseph Tullio was called to Glory today (October 19, 2015) at 7:43 AM. He was at his home at 38509-251stPlace S.E. Emumclaw, WA 98022-6808. He leaves his wife for life, Carolrae and many children and Grandchildren and assorted relatives. They will all be identified when I get the Obit.
Martin was a member of A Company, 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24thInfantry Division and went with his unit from Japan to Korea during the first week of fighting in that war in July 1950. At the time he was a Private of Infantry and was released at a Private First Class.
Martin (Marty) was captured by elements of the North Korean Army on July 10, 1950 in South Korea. He was a Prisoner of War for over 37 months and was released on August 30, 1953. He was held by both the North Koreans and later by the Chinese Army. He was on the Tiger Death March where 89 were shot to death. Marty saw 58% of the Tiger Survivors perish mostly under the North Koreans.
While a POW Martin always helped his fellow Prisoners of War and carried them on the march.
Martin is gone from us now to a better place I am sure. He will join other Tiger Survivors and help build our encampment in Glory.
RIP Martin Tullio a great friend in life.
Shorty the Tiger
Robert Dyer
Robert Dyer, from Camp #1 company #2, passed away today, May 10, 2015.
submitted by Eugene Ramos
Raymond Unger
Raymond M. Unger, 85 years, Army Korean War Veteran. (Ex P.O.W.). Beloved husband of Elsie for 60 years. Devoted father of Mary (Greg) Williams and Joseph. Cherished grandfather of Thomas (Lauren) and Michael (Kristin) Williams and Rachel Unger. Dear brother of Al. Visitation Monday, April 6th, 3-9 P.M. Funeral Tuesday, 9 A.M. from the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 West 127th Street, Crestwood, to Incarnation Church for a 9:30 A.M. Mass. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. Member of Korean War Ex P.O.W. Association, Windy City Veterans and the V.F.W. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. 708 824-9000 or www.becvarfuneralhome.com
Donald Francis Ryder
Donald Francis Ryder, 85 of East Harwich, passed away at home on March 9, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Edith M. (Lowe) Ryder, two daughters Donna Ryder Kelley, and Michele Ryder. He also leaves five stepchildren Kathleen DeLalla and her husband Eugene, Joanne Miller and her husband Raymond, Rober Parr and his wife Kimberly Conley, Daniel Parr and his fiancé Deborah Devaney, and Kevin Parr and his wife Kelly, a brother Jesse Ryder, 25 Grandchildren and 27 Great Grandchildren.
Donald was the son of the of the late Louise (Chase) and Everett Ryder, and brother of the late Mary Ellis, Phyllis Stevens, and Everett, Roland and Kenneth Ryder.
Born in Barnstable, he was a lifelong resident of Harwich. In his youth he aspired to become a jockey but was told he was too tall. He was educated in the Harwich School System and served with the United States Army Special Tactical Unit. He was captured in North Korea and held as a POW for 28 months.
Following his military service he returned to Harwich and worked as a commercial fisherman and following work in the Harwich Water Dept., he went to work for the Natural Resource Dept. Don served as assistant natural resource officer, assistant fish and game warden and assistant harbor master prior to his retirement. He was instrumental in starting and maintaining the quahog seeding program and the Saquatucket Harbor docks, bubbler system.
Don served as the first Commander of the Dennis Port VFW post 8074 and was a life-long member of the Chatham VFW. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading National Geographic, and had a life-long love of animals and wildlife. He enjoyed traveling with Edie to Japan, Canada and throughout the United States, as well as attending POW reunions in Kentucky, Tennessee and Colorado.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday April 17, from 10 am – 12 noon at the Morris, O’Connor & Blute Funeral Home 678 Main St., Harwich Center. A service with military honors will follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers gifts in Donald’s memory may be made to the Cape Cod Hospital, Cardiac Care Unit, 27 Park St., Hyannis, MA 02601
John Toth
John Melvin Hilgart, Jr.
April 28, 1931 – Jan. 6, 2015
John Melvin Hilgart, Jr. was born in Park Falls on April 28, 1931 to Alice G. and John M. Hilgart. After graduation from Lincoln High School in Park Falls in 1950, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War. He was captured by the enemy there and spent twenty-eight months as a prisoner of war in North Korea. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1953, John moved back to Park Falls and worked as a machinist at the Flambeau Paper Company. He met the love of his life in Park Falls, and married Ilomay B. Hoffman on September 25, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. John and Ilomay were blessed with four sons whom they raised in Park Falls. John was a life-long member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Knights of Columbus.
John and Ilomay loved to travel, so they sold their home in Park Falls after their sons were grown and John retired from Flambeau Paper Company to make their home in a 5th wheeler RV. Traveling across the country, they settled again in Mission, Texas where it never snows and eventually built another home. There, they were members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Time passed and it became important to live closer to their sons, so they moved again to Leander, Texas. They became members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lago Vista, Texas. John loved working in his yard and shop and always had a new project to invent. He lost Ilomay after a long illness on December 19, 2013.
John joined Ilomay in Heaven after a short illness on January 6, 2015. He will be interred with her this summer in Park Falls in Nola Cemetery where there will be a graveside service.
John is preceded in death by his mother and father, Alice and John Hilgart, and his sisters: Hazel Hanson, Dorothy Pritzl, Donna Lind, and Berniece Yunk. He is survived by brothers: Dennis and Charles (Chuck) Hilgart; and sisters: Annabelle (Annie) Brandt and Linda Abel; his sons, John and wife, Dora, of Point Blank, Texas, Jeffrey and his wife, Karen, of Leander, Texas, Joseph and his wife, Grace, of Montesano, Washington, and James of Leander, Texas; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and his beloved German Shepherd, Jake.
Andy Viscuso
Andrew J. Viscuso, 86, husband of Helen M. (Geigus) Viscuso, of Phoenixville, PA, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 in Coatesville VA Medical Center.
Born in Phoenixville, PA, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Frances (Brignola) Viscuso. Andy attended Phoenixville Schools, and he earned his Associates Degree from the Pottstown Business School.
He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and was a POW for two and a half years from October 23, 1950 until August 31, 1953. He returned to the Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, where he was a patient for one year. He was the Recipient of the Purple Heart, Korean Presidential Medal, Korean POW Medal and the United Nations Medal. He was a member of the National Ex-POW Chapter.
He worked as a Technician for the Williams Company and after 29 years of service, he later worked for McNeil Pharmaceutical in the Sales Department for 5 years. He was an original member of St. Basil The Great Catholic Church in Kimberton, where he served as Head Usher, and a member of the new church Building Committee. He was President and Vice President of Tyrone Farms Civic Association, and earned his merit award from the association in 1965. He was the Charlestown Township Auditor for 14 1/2 years, and was the Charlestown Tax Collector for 20 years. He was a Fourth Degree member of The Knights of Columbus St. Basil Council, and a member of Malvern Retreat League.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Thomas J. Viscuso and wife Linda of Emmaus, PA, and Gregg S. Viscuso and wife Joan of Downingtown, PA; daughters, Jayne A. Scamuffa and husband James of Coatesville, PA, and Carol L. Usnik and husband Timothy of Georgia; nine grandchildren, and a brother, Nicholas Viscuso and wife Judy. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dominick Viscuso, and sisters, Raffealla Savastana and Mary Yanetta.
Information from legacy.com
Gilbert Tritt, Jr.
Gilbert Tritt, Jr., 86, of Katy, Texas, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on December 26, 2014. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Born May 28, 1928 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Gilbert and Mary Jane Tritt.
Gilbert served with the U.S. Army. He was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean War on 18 May 1951 and was held until his release on 20 August 1953 after the signing of the Armistice. He received the Prisoner of War Medal and Purple Heart Medal along with numerous other awards for his service. Following his service with the Army, Gilbert worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill in the Beaver Falls east works. After retiring to Katy, Texas, Gilbert was active in the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed traveling the United States with his family.
Gilbert is survived by his wife Joanne Foley. They recently celebrated their 61st anniversary on November 26th, 2014.
Survivors also include his son, Scott (Cheryl) Tritt of Katy, Texas; his daughter, Terri (Steve) Campbell of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Ian (Erin), Andy, Marlyse Tritt, Cory and Justin Campbell. The apples of his eyes, his two great-grandchildren, twins Brian and Taylor Tritt. His two sisters Mary Jane LeRoy of Ellwood City and Norma Jean Carothers of Florence, Kentucky; brothers-in-law, Robert (Phyllis) Foley of Ellwood City and Joseph (Dolly) Foley of New Castle; and many nieces and nephews.
Military rites will be conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard, Houston National Cemetery at a later date.