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MEMORIAL PAGES

THE SITE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE MAY THEY LIVE FOREVER IN OUR MEMORIES AND ON CYBER SPACE ;

DECEMBER 23 2011

DELBERT C. KLIMA  80

PASSED AWAY  DECEMBER 23 2011 AT 1:25 AM.

SERVICE WILL AS BELOW;

VISITATION WILL BE 12:00 A.M. FOLLOWED BY

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY DECEMBER 31ST 2011 1:30 P.M.

-------------------

LOCATION OF THE SERVICE

http://gatewaynazarene.org/

140 Gateway Drive Oskaloosa IA 52577

CHURCH email:info@oskynaz.org

CHURCH Phone: 1-641-673-3417

DELBERT CHARLES KLIMA of Oskaloosa.
BORN MARCH 23, 1931 @ ST. LUKES HOSPITAL, CEDAR RAPIDS
TO MARY & ERNEST KLIMA OF RURAL SOLON, IA

Del graduated from Solon High School in 1950 where he participated in Boys State and played trombone in the band.

After high school, Del attended radio electronics school in Omaha Nebraska then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict in Mannheim, Germany and returned to the states for 6 years with the Army Reserve. When Del returned to the states, Del launched his career in electronics service work for KCRG in Cedar Rapids, GTE TELEPHONE, MARSHALL TOWN TROWEL, as well as for MOTOROLA 2 WAY SERVICE FOR Communications Engineering in Cedar Rapids, Grinnell, and Marshalltown , ELECTRONICS APPLICATIONS OF OTTUMWA. and later took a job with McCall Communications in Ottumwa.

Del was united in marriage to Beverly L Fry at St. James Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids on October 12, 1956.
In 1975, they moved the family to Fremont Iowa where they lived until 2010 when Del & Bev moved to Oskaloosa.
Del was a Cub Scout Master and a member of WBCCI (Air Stream Club). Del and Bev enjoyed traveling (camping and trailering) and 17 years of retirement, wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Del had a deep faith in the Christ and attended the former First Church of the Nazarene (now Gateway). He loved his family, and enjoyed games of Fast Track and shuffleboard with his family and many friends. He especially enjoyed helping friends diagnose computer problems.

Surviving Del is his wife of 55 years, Bev; A daughter, Pam Heinz (Nick) of Woodstock, IL, 2 Sons Paul of Ottumwa and David and Laura of Hedrick, seven grandchildren; Cara Cunat of McHenry, IL, Nicholas Heinz of Chicago, IL, Troy and Brynn Cunat of Midleton, WI, Wade Cunat of McHenry, IL, Jorie Heinz of Chicago, IL, Cody and Tyler Klima of Fremont Iowa.

http://hosting-3454.tributes.com/show/delbert-charles-klima-93013721

FROM THE BATES FUNERAL CHAPEL

Matt Harvey , 8/22/63 - 3/30/10

Matt Harvey, 46, of Marshalltown, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010.    

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2010, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Matt’s family would like to invite those in attendance at the funeral to ride their motorcycles and lead Matt to his final place of rest in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home 1209 Iowa Ave West, Marshalltown, IA 50158. Memorials may be directed to the family. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Matt and his family. Phone 641-844-1234.       

   Matthew Wayne Harvey was born on August 22, 1963, in Marshalltown.  He was the son of Warren and Mary (Wholey) Harvey.  Matt graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1981 and MCC in 1982.  On February 11, 1984, Matt married Chellie Cunningham at Grace United Methodist Church in Marshalltown.  Matt was Chellie’s best friend and love of her life. The couple lived in Marshalltown their entire married lives, raising their four sons: Ryan, Trevor, Cory, and Seth.  The family’s world is shattered by the loss of Matt.      

    Matt was employed at Lennox for over 24 years, most recently as 2^nd shift maintenance supervisor.  He was a licensed electrician, enjoyed remodeling homes and making furniture, hunting pheasant and deer, gun smithing, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.  He shared his interest in motorcycles with his sons.    

      Matt will be missed by his wife, Chellie, of Marshalltown; his four sons Ryan Harvey (Jillisa Arrendondo) serving in Iraq with the US Army, Trevor (Katy) Harvey of Kansas City, MO, Cory Harvey and Seth Harvey, both of Marshalltown, and his special “other” son, Trevor Dean Harding of El Centro, CA; his mother Mary Harvey of Marshalltown; his sisters Vickie (Jack) Smith of Cheyenne, WY, Jacque (Tom) Martin of Osage, IA, and Wendy (Dave) Hall of Bartlesville, OK; his brothers Ken (Julie) Harvey of Marshalltown, John (Tracey) Harvey of St. Anthony, and Tim Harvey of Marshalltown; uncle Charles (Irene) Harvey; aunt Virginia Ball; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.     

     In death, he has rejoined his father, his brothers Michael and David, his sister Elizabeth, and his in-laws Bill and Doretta Cunningham.

Parker, Arthur "Jack" -  OTTUMWA — Arthur "Jack" Parker, 81, of 602 Glenwood Ave., died at Feb. 21, 2010, at Ridgewood Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born Aug. 15, 1928, in Ottumwa

Jack was a good friend... I will miss him!!

Flood's in Ottumwa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWk_pD8PsFU

Stan Marquette, 61, of Ottumwa, Iowa, died Saturday afternoon, March 21, 2009, ... STANLEY D. MARQUETTE.

Birth:  Jul. 30, 1947 Kirksville Adair County Missouri, USA Death:  Mar. 21, 2009 Ottumwa Wapello County Iowa, USA Stanley Dwayne Marquette is the oldest son of Kenneth and Mary (Schuck) Marquette. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He is remembered for a 20 acre tree farm which he planted and cared for as a special hobby and for his radio shop "Marquette auto sound" in Ottumwa, Iowa.    Family links:   Parents:   Kenneth Hardin Marquette (1921 - 2007)     Burial: Brock Cemetery Brock Scotland County Missouri, USA   Created by: Larry and Jane Record added: Nov 12, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 44238752

Doretta L. Cunningham, 71

Note from webmaster Paul:

"Aunt" Doretta was a great cook too!! She was one of my inspirations to great cooking!!

Doretta will be remembered and missed as a good friend and part of my extended family.

Robertson, Wanda February 12, 1942 - March 13, 2008   Visitation: 2:00PM to 6:00 PM March 16, 2008 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Funeral Service: 10:00 AM March 17, 2008 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Interment: New Haven Cemetery, near Keota   Wanda Roberston was born February 12, 1942 in Pocahontas, Arkansas the daughter of Ruby Bell Scott. She was united in marriage to Terry Robertson April 7, 1972 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. The two of them moved to Scott City, Kansas where they resided until 1976 when they relocated to the Oskaloosa area eventually settling in Hedrick in 1987. Wanda was a dedicated homemaker she enjoyed sewing, cooking, shoe shopping, and watching birds especially hummingbirds. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Wanda had a wild sense of humor and enjoyed life. She will be remembered most for always being there for her family. Her memory will be honored by two daughters, Lisa Ann (Rich) Wilkening of Sigourney, and Laura Ranee (David) Klima of Fremont, three grandchildren, Terry Allen Wilkening, Cody James Klima and Tyler Clinton Klima. Special friends include Barb and Max Curry and family, Lynn and LaVerne Reese and family, Dean and Debbie Reese and family, Ron and Marie Plate and family, Delores and Johnny Johnson and family, Larry & Janeitta Shepherd and family, Doug & Karen Chickering and family, Sherri and Kirby Pothast and family. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Terry, two brothers, J.W. Scott and Everett Scott, and three sisters, Opal Webster, Jewell Dean, and Agnes Scott.

Floyd was a neighbor north of my parents and was an avid ham operator. we will miss him!!

Donald Cassill
OTTUMWA — Donald R. Cassill, 65, of 714 E. Vine St., crossed over to be with his mother at 10:48 a.m. Feb. 28, 2008, at home. He was born Dec. 2, 1942 in Ottumwa to Russell J. and E. Margaret Bullock Cassill. A graduate of Ottumwa High School in 1960, he had been a resident of Ottumwa all of his life. He had worked at John Morrell and Co. for 11 years, for Hormel for nine years, and established and operated Movieland for 26 years. He also owned and operated EZ Don’s Junk and Collectibles, Hollywood on Vine Tanning, and at one time a bar "The Dungen". Don and Sharon enjoyed many gambling and Las Vegas trips. He had a small farm in Davis County where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and related activities. Many children learned to swim in his pond. He was very creative and always had a project in the works. Rock gardens were just one of his many passions and landscaping was in progress most of the year. In the past few years, Don developed an interest in the Internet and was a regular on some Las Vegas Chat boards. He came up with an idea for a blog, http://claudettes-place.blogspot.com . If you’ve been to our home or store, you know who Claudette is. Don was a wonderful story teller, he always had new ideas for Claudette’s many adventures. Surviving is his son, Jeff Cassill of Knoxville; his sister, Donna Ruth Bosley of Ottumwa; his companion, friend and caregiver, Sharon Clark of Ottumwa; a niece, Teresa Wiseman of Batavia; and three great-nephews, Roger Alan Wiseman Jr., Christopher Wiseman and Dakota Donald Wilbanks. He was preceded in death by his parents. His body has been cremated. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Mel Kendall officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2008, at Reece Funeral Home. Don loved to read, so in lieu of flowers, he wanted donations made to the Ottumwa Public Library Children’s Department.

Don was one of the casino buddies... I will sure miss him!!

Kenneth Hardin Marquette
Kenneth Hardin Marquette, 85, of Memphis, MO, passed away February 27, 2007, at the Scotland County Memorial Hospital, Memphis, MO.

He was born on November 8, 1921, near Newark, MO, the son of Hal and Josephine Janney Marquette.

Kenneth attended rural school in Knox County, Plevna and Edina High Schools. He grew up in Knox County and moved to Scotland County in 1951. He entered in the U.S. Army on November 2, 1942 and was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945. He was a Veteran of World War II serving overseas in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

On October 13, 1946, in Memphis, MO, he married Mary Etta Schuck, and to this union two sons were born.

Kenneth farmed all his life raising crops and livestock until he retired. He was a member of the Mount Salem Baptist Church near Newark, MO, since a young boy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, who died in infancy.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Mary of the home; two sons, Stanley Dwayne Marquette and Kenneth Neil Marquette, both of Ottumwa, IA; One sister, Erma Kelley and her husband, Charles of Edina, MO; several nieces and nephews, as well as several great-nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the Brock Cemetery Association and can be left at or mailed to the Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison, Memphis, MO.

Carroll W. Wittman, 90, of 4325 Council Street N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, May 26, 2007, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from congestive heart failure. Services: 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Linda Livingston. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 28, 2007, at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife, Mable; daughters, Corrine “Kay” Sutton of Marion, Iowa and Phyllis (Roger) Wright of Keota, Iowa; grandchildren, Brad Wright, Brian Wright, Paula Wright, Scott Sutton and Sheryl Sutton; and great grandchildren, Erica Wright, Leah Wright, Taylor Wright, Erin Wright, Ellen Wright, Justin Dolley, Alizabeth Sutton and Alex Sutton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Clara and John Wittman; brothers, Leroy Wittman and Julius Wittman; son-in-law, Ron Sutton; and great grandchild, Julian Vernon Sutton Dolley.
Carroll was born November 17, 1916, in Elkport, Iowa, the son of John and Clara (Bahr) Wittman. On September 15, 1939, he married Mable Y. Sprague in Elkader, Iowa. He worked for Bob Rush, Skogman and St. Luke’s Hospital as a carpenter for 16 years, retiring in 1982.
Carroll was a sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and enjoyed working on cars.
Memorials may be made in Carroll’s memory to Ascention Lutheran Church, 2210 Grand Avenue, Marion, Iowa 52302 or St. Luke’s Hospice, 1026 A Avenue N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
 

General Information :

Visitation Information:

Service Information:

 Interment Information:

click here for the service information

Lewis C. Fry

Born in Greeley, IA on Apr. 18, 1915
Departed on Jul. 28, 2005 and resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Lewis C. “Lewie” Fry, 90, of 202 35th Street Dr. SE, formerly of Robins, died Thursday, July 28, 2005, in St. Luke’s Hospital following a short illness. Services at 2 PM Monday in First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren. Burial in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM on Sunday and at the church after 1 PM on Monday.
Survivors include a daughter Beverly Klima and husband Delbert of Fremont, Iowa, two sons Lewis A. Fry Jr. and wife Rita of Robins, and Dwight “Jim” Fry and wife Vicky of Gardnerville, Nevada, 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 3 brothers Harry, Elmer, and Roy, and a sister Viola.
Lewis was born April 18, 1915 in Greeley, Iowa to Lewis W. and Mary Smith Fry. He married Bernice Sprague on August 13, 1934 in Edgewood, Iowa. She died January 13, 2005. Lewie farmed until 1950 and then was a machinist for Collins Radio for 27 years.
He was a member of First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren, and a former member of the Robins City Council and Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and traveling.
Instead of flowers a memorial fund has been established

plot location:

GARDEN OF THE CROSS PLOT # 554

THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF BERNIE FERGUSON 56

FRIEND, FATHER, HUMANITARIAN....

04/04/1944 - 05/14/2000 7:45 p.m. CST

LOST TO CANCER

WE ALL MISS YOU!

Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

FROM THE OTTUMWA PAPER;

Bernie Ferguson

OTTUMWA - LaVerne T. "Bernie" Ferguson, 56, of 583 Crestview, died at 7:45 p.m. May 14, 2000, at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born April 4, 1944 in Ottumwa to Russell Lawrence and Hazel Samantha Ferguson.

The service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Reece Funeral Home, the Revs. Jerry Caughron and John Spiegel officiating. Cremation will follow the service.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. today with family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Ottumwa Regional Health Foundation for the Palliative Care Unit.

19, MAY 2003

Billy Cunningham, 69, Marshalltown

"UNCLE BILLY" AS WE KNEW HIM PASSED THIS AM IN HIS CHAIR AT HOME IN MARSHALLTOWN.

I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES OF HIM.... HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND FATHER.

---------

FROM THE DES MOINES REGISTER:

BILLY D. CUNNINGHAM
Marshalltown
Published on 05/21/2003

Billy D. Cunningham, 69, died May 19, 2003. Funeral services and a celebration of Billy's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home in Marshalltown, with Rev. Jeffrey R. Frese of the Grace United Methodist Church officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown.

Billy retired from Fisher Controls after 27 years of faithful service. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, the men's breakfast group of the church and the UAW Local #893 Retirees.

Left to mourn his loss are his loving wife of 44 years, Doretta; two beloved daughters, Cindy Cunningham of Marshalltown and Chellie (Matt) Harvey of Marshalltown; five treasured grandsons, Ryan, Trevor, Cory, and Seth Harvey and Tim Cunningham, all of Marshalltown; his sister, Marie (Rick) Benda of Gladbrook and brother, Ron Cunningham of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law, Norm (Joan) Legg of Marshalltown; his dog, Blaze and cat, Sammy; as well as nieces, nephews, aunt, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. In death, he has rejoined his parents and stepfather, Clarence Schulz and sisters, Retta Legg and Lydia Cunningham.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday with family present 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A memorial video tribute will be presented during those hours.

FROM Making Everlasting Memories® www.mem.com

Mr. Billy D. Cunningham

Born:
October 29, 1933

Died:
May 19, 2003

Memorialized by:
Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home

Billy D. Cunningham, 69, of 1208 South 2nd Street, Marshalltown, died suddenly Monday morning, May 19th, at his home.
Funeral services and a celebration of Billy's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22nd, at the Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home in Marshalltown with Rev. Jeffrey R. Frese of the Grace United Methodist Church officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday with family present 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A memorial video tribute will be presented during those hours. Friends near or far may leave condolences at www.mem.com (Making Everlasting Memories). The Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home (641-753-3344) has been entrusted by the Cunningham family with his final arrangements.
Born on October 29th, 1933, in Honey Grove, Texas, he was the son of Winnifred and Dorothy (Owen) Cunningham. He began schooling in Texas and later in Gladbrook, Iowa when his mother married Clarence Schulz. Billy was a farm-hand for Clarence and later worked for the Marshalltown Hospital for about five years. Billy retired from Fisher Controls after 27 years of faithful service.
On February 25th, 1958, he was united in marriage to Doretta Bruna in Marshalltown at the Presbyterian Church. They made Beaman, Iowa, Texas and Marshalltown their home where he was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, the men's breakfast group of the church and the UAW Local #893 Retirees. Billy will be fondly remembered as a loving family man who loved his wife and treasured his girls and grandsons. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Left to mourn his loss are his loving wife of 44 years, Doretta, two beloved daughters: Cindy Cunningham of Marshalltown and Chellie (Matt) Harvey of Marshalltown, five treaured grandsons: Ryan, Trevor, Cory and Seth Harvey and Tim Cunningham all of Marshalltown, his sister Marie (Rick) Benda of Gladbrook and brother Ron Cunningham of San Antonio, Texas, brother-in-law Norm (Joan) Legg of Marshalltown, his dog Blaze and cat Sammy, as well as nieces, nephews, aunt, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.
In death he has rejoined his parents and sisters Retta Legg and Lydia Cunningham

below are the plot maps for Rose Hill cemetery Gethsemane for Uncle Billy Aunt Doretta Cunningham   and Bev and Del Klima

the location is on the east entrance and east side.

location 602 Iowa Ave. East ( old US HWY 30 ) Marshalltown Iowa.

phone 1-641-752-0360

April 23, 2000

Terry Robertson

HEDRICK - Terry Clinton Robertson, 52, of Hedrick died April 22, 2000, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born Aug. 25, 1947, in Washington to Cloyce Clinton and Frankie Mills Robertson.

The service will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fremont Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Howard Reitz of Glen Echo Christian Church in Des Moines officiating. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery, southeast of Keota.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made in his name.

DIED AT HOME, HEART ATTACK WHILE MOWING YARD.

WE MISS YOU!

March 13, 2008

Wanda Robertson wife of Terry Robertson

 HEDRICK – Wanda Robertson, 66, of Hedrick passed away March 13, 2008 at Hospice House in Ottumwa.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Fremont Funeral Chapel with Pastor Carla Nelson officiating.  Interment will follow at New Haven Cemetery near Keota. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Fremont Funeral Chapel Sunday.

Darwin Judge  KIA nam

--- General / Personal ---

Last name: JUDGE
First name: DARWIN LEE
Home of Record (official): MARSHALLTOWN
State (official): IA
Date of Birth: Thursday, February 16, 1956
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 479708999
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0341

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Tuesday, April 29, 1975
Date of Casualty: Tuesday, April 29, 1975
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Artillery, rocket, mortar (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Bien Hoa
Comments: BODY 03/01/76
The Wall: Panel 01W - Row 124

---------------------------

Darwin was a personal friend... we were in Boy scouts together. he made eagle scout. and I made life... 2 merit badges from eagle, just before he was shipped out...... his death was so shocking I left the scouts shortly after his death..... as the memory of the loss was too strong.... It was not till fall of 1998 that I found some closure and found the data above.

his story is in the time life series the nam experience...

my personal memory of him

" He was just the kind of heroic sob to give his life to save others!"

Darwin was one of the last ones there during the evac. and was one of the last causality's

he was cut down by vc while securing the evac of friendly's to the plane.

one day in country... 

more info below

The last two Americans KIA in the Vietnam War were Corporal Charles McMahon, Jr., and Lance Corporal Darwin Lee Judge.  Source: U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Bitter End, 1973-1975, by George Dunham and David Quinlan.  The same book discusses unit identities, scattered in various places.  This is the final volume of the USMC official history of the Vietnam War.

LCpl Darwin Judge along with Cpl Charles McMahon was the last Killed In Action serviceman in the Vietnam War.   LCpl Judge was born and raised in Marshalltown Iowa.   He was an Eagle Scout and a fine young man of the community.   He completed Marine Corps Boot Camp and Marine Security Guard School before shipping to Saigon, R. Vietnam as a Marine Security Guard to the American Embassy.   He and Cpl Charles McMahon were killed together within the first two weeks of joining the detachment.   LCpl Judge and Cpl McMahon was killed by a rocket attack from Five NVA Divisions defending the Defense Attaché  Building on Tan Son Nhut airbase.  On April 29-30 2000 we honored LCpl Judge with a Memorial Services from 24th Marines and his fellow Saigon Marines.

Today 29 April 2001 LCpl Judge was honored at his Park in Marshalltown, Iowa with a Flag Pole, the American and Marine Corps Flag and free lighting from the citizens of Marshalltown.  Earlier in April 2000 we planted two new trees in the Judge park to honor LCpl Judge and Cpl McMahon.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa, April 28 — Young Americans were paying the ultimate price in Vietnam right up until the final days — and what added to the tragedy is that some were virtually lost in the chaos and the eagerness of America to put Vietnam behind it. But one young hero is finally getting the recognition he deserves   DARWIN JUDGE was already a hero. There’s a park named after him and a place of honor at his high school.  “He was rock stable,” said one of his former schoolteachers. “He was the kind of guy America was built around.”  An Eagle Scout, he was one of the last Marines to die in combat in Vietnam, killed in action when he was just 19 as enemy shells slammed into Than Son Nhut Airbase 25 years ago tomorrow,    “If he’d stayed at the embassy like he was supposed to, be on the lookout, he would have been alright,” said his mother Ira. In the chaos of those final days, his body wasn’t found and returned home until a year later.   In the bureaucratic confusion, he never got the purple heart nor burial with honors he deserved. “I love my country but I’m not so sure we have done what we should do to say thank you” said Ken Locke, Judge’s boyhood pal.  

Below is Ken Locke's memorial web page to Darwin Judge
http://members.tripod.com/~kclocke/judge.html

 For nearly 25 years Locke has wanted to pay proper tribute to Darwin Judge.    “He was my hero; I wanted to be like him,” Locke said.  A COMMON HERO   He was a hero for others, too. As Saigon fell and thousands tried to flee, Marine Doug Potratz tried frantically to evacuate his three-year-old daughter Becky, but could not until Judge intervened.   “He picked her up, put her on his back, piggyback style, and quick as a bunny ran, ran out to the plane and put her on the plane,” Potratz said.  Almost 25 years later, on a website dedicated to the fall of Saigon, Potratz , now in California, wrote about what Judge had done.    Two thousand miles away in Indiana, Ken Locke read the account and contacted Potratz.  Realizing they had a hero in common, the men, after countless phone calls and letters, persuaded the Marines to give Judge a service, Saturday, with full military honors.   It will bring some measure of comfort to Judge’s parents.  

When you see so many young people take drugs and do terrible things, it makes you a little proud to have somebody like Darwin,” his father Henry said.   Others are still thanking Darwin Judge 25 years later.  Remember that small child he rescued? She went on to graduate, with honors, from the University of Southern California.  “If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably still be their   instead of here doing what I’m doing now and being who I am,” Becky said.    And for anyone who might argue that it’s too late now to offer thanks, Darwin Judge’s mother has an answer: “It’s not too late to thank them and show your appreciation that they was over there to do what they was supposed to do.”    Twenty-five years later, Darwin Judge will get what he deserved and those he touched will get what they need.