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War Memorials

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This area is dedicated to the men and women who served 
our country in peaceful times during no specific war or conflict.


Killed in Action Wounded in action POW/MIA
Died during active duty
+ Contracted disease-illness-disability during service


Antcliffe Jr., Douglas G

US Army – Staff Sergeant
Radio Operator
b 11-28-1936     d 2-11-2007
Lawrence, MI     Gladwin MI
Age 70y, 2m, 16d
Buried in
Pinconning Twp Cemetery
Pinconning MI

In Service 1955 – 1958
Germany

Resided in Hartford 1939 to 1955
HHS Class of 1955

Married Mary Ann Miller,
Watervliet MI, in 1956.

Moved to Pinconning MI at discharge.  Weighmaster for the Bay Co. Sheriff Dept.- Road Commission for 30 years.  Retired in 1993. 

Doug’s father, Douglas G. Antcliffe Sr. served in the US Air Force in WW 11

Austin, Niegel Orion
Niegel Orion Austin 1920-21
US Army
Niegel, in uniform, with his mother, Martha Lydema Rendell Austin.
Photo dates circa 1920-21 and was taken in front of the family home of Amos and Martha Austin, Hartford Twp.

In service 19__ to 19__

From Hartford MI
Did not graduate with class,
left school to enter service.
From HHS Class of __



Photo and information submitted by
Rendell Austin 2-2003

Bailey, Robert H.
US Air Force – A3C
b 9/6/1936     d 7/2/1979
42y, 9m, 27d
Buried in Watervliet Cemetery
Watervliet MI

In service 1956 to 1959(?)
Served in Alaska.

From Hartford
HHS Class of __

Resided in Hartford through
the early 1960s.

Son of Roy and
Lorraine (Hough) Bailey

Information submitted by
Marie Perry Bailey, sister-in-law
 4/7/2003
Bailey, David Lester    
David Lester Bailey d 6-13-2009
US Army
b 2-17-1940     d 6-13-2009
   Keeler MI    Berrien Cntr MI
Age 69y, 3m, 27d

In service
19__ to 19__

Son of
Lester & Mildred (Leach) Bailey

Married to
Judy (Strong) Fisher

Resided in Berrien Center MI
 

Barker, Travis
Travis Barker US Army 1957-59
US Army
Company Clerk – Private 1st Class
101st Airborne Division, 
76th Medium Tank Battalion.

Played baseball and basketball for 101st Div. Hqtrs.

Photo taken May, 1956

In Service 1957 to 1959

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1953

Photo and information submitted by Bill Dyer
Beam II, Robert E.
US Marine Corp
LCPL E-4
1st Landing Support
Battalion Air Delivery
b 2-11-1975
St. Joseph MI

In Service
1993 – 1997

Served in 31st MEU,
Okinawa Japan

From West Ottawa High School
Class of 1993

Resided in Hartford in 1975

2006 – Resides in Bowling Green KY

Father, Robert Beam HHS 1966, served during Vietnam. Brother, Richard Alan Beam, served during the Persian Gulf War-Desert Storm. Grandfather, Clare H. Beam, served during WW11.  His ggreat grandfather, John Jordan Beam, served during the Civil War. 

Information submitted 427-2006
by Robert (Bob) Beam.
 
Bisbee, Gene Boggs, Arthur Junior
US Army
b 9/2/1928     d 12/13/1992
Buried in
Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta MI

Last residence: Hartford MI
 
Bohn Rhoads, Sharon
US Navy
b 12-22-1963    d 7-9-2001
Age 37y, 6m, 19d
Died in car accident in Walker MI

In Service 19__ to 19__


From Hartford
HHS Class of 1982

Sharon was a member of the AMIVETS of South Bend, IN and the American Legion of Grand Rapids, MI
 

In service 1963 – 19__

Served in
South Korea and California

Married to
Mary Bisbee
 

Bond, William Lee
US Army
   
b 7-19-1937         d 2-18-2000
Osceola Ark          Florida
Age 62y, 7m, 1d

  Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI

In Service 19__ to 19__

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1955

Member of the
American Legion Stoddard Post 93

 

Brooks, Robert A. Brownlow Jr., Hazen “Fuzzy”

Robert Brooks d 6-19-2011
US Navy
b 12-8-1933     d 6-19-2011
                      Paw Paw MI
Age 77y, 6m, 12d
Cremains buried in
Oak Grove Cemetery
Lawton MI

From Covert MI
1952 Graduate of Covert High School

In Service
1955 to 11/1961

Son of
John & Thelma Brooks

Married to
Beverly Pompey Brooks

Attended Greens Barber College in Detroit, followed by a two-year apprenticeship at various barbershops in the area. He passed the Michigan State Boards and obtained his master barber license in 1962. Bob purchased and operated a barbershop in Marcellus for over 30 years, along with a barbershop in Lawton for 21 years. He then barbered part time for Chuck’s Barbershop in Paw Paw for a number of years.

Bob resided in Hartford during the 1950s. His final residence was in Paw Paw MI.
 


U.S. Army
101st Airborne Ranger
   8-16-1937       d 12-29-2012
St Joseph MI      Hartford MI
75y, 4m, 15d
Buried in
Spring Run Cemetery
Scottdale MI

From St Joseph MI
Graduate of
St Joseph High School

In service
19__ to 19__

Son of
Hazen and Mary Brownlow Sr.

 

 Clauser, Zachary R.
Army Pvt.

From Hartford
HHS Class of 2012

Served in
» One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Ft Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo.

Son of
Marc and Lisa Clauser

 

 Collins, Thomas
US Army
 
b 5-6-1941         d 6-2-2005
Charleston SC      Hartford MI
Age 64y, 28d

Construction Insulator Worker

Member of
Masonic Lodge 89 of Belleville MI
Honored with 30 years from
Local 25, Detroit MI
 
Colman, Clyde
Clyde Colman - US Army
US Army
b 5-3-1928           d 12-25-2014
   Hartford MI       Berrien Springs MI
Age 86y, 7m, 14d

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1945

In service 1946-1947

Son of
Frank and Frances Colman

Married to
Gail Clover Colman


Last residence
Berrien Springs MI


 

Conklin, Arthur R.
US Air Force – MSGT
b 7/21/1917     d 3/29/1986
Age 68y, 8m, 9d
Buried at
Ft Custer National Cemetery
August MI
Plot: 9 0 473

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1934

Last residence:  Hartford MI
 
 

Daisy, Raymond "Pete"
US Navy
b 7-25-1942    d 1-24-2006
  Bangor MI    Mountain TN
Age 63y, 6m, 2d
Buried at
St Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Watervliet MI

In service
19__ to 19__

From
HHS Class of 1960

Pete was a master electrician and mastered sport of fishing and hunting.

Son of
Albert and Florence Daisy

Dean, Clair Robert
US Army – Sgt.
b 3/9/1928     d 2/15/1996
Age 69y, 5m, 14d
Buried at
Ft Custer National Cemetery
August MI
Plot: C 0 1114
 

Last residence: Hartford MI 

Deckard, Joe
Joe Deckard - National Guard
US National Guard

In service
1981 – 1987

Training in Ft. Leonardwood MO

From HHS Class of 1982

Resided in Hartford 1964 to present.

Joe’s son, Gary Deckard, also served in the military during
 
Dill, Alfred Dixon Jr, Terry Ray
Alfred Dill d 4-29-2013
US Army  

   b 1-31-1930        d 4-29-2013
Benton Harbor MI    Coloma MI

In service
19__ to 19__

Son of
Riney and Olga (Stubelt) Dill

Married to
Wencil Page Dill

Alfred worked for Clark Equipment as a welder for more than 20 years. He was a member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church, which he helped build, and was a deacon for more than 12 years.

 He enjoyed farming at one time on his farm in Hartford.

Terry Ray Dixon Jr. - US Army
US Army
Telecommunications
Systems Operator – E4 SPC
b 8-4-1978

Served in
Fort Jackson – Columbia, SC
Fort Gordon – Augusta, GA

Camp Carroll – Taegu, South Korea
Was chosen to take part in Battalion Color Guard for Change of Command ceremonies in South Korea for
1st Signal Brigade, 307th Signal Battalion, 226th Light Troop Company.

Fort Lewis – Tacoma, WA
While stationed at Fort Lewis,
had the opportunity of participating
in the 2001 ROTC Advanced Camp Confidence Course in support of 555th Combat Engineer Group.  In doing so, I helped in training over 4500 future officers for the U.S Army.

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1996

Resided in Hartford 1987 to 1998



 

In service
5-20-1998 to 5-19-2002

Medals and Awards
»
Army Achievement Medal
» National Defense Service Medal
» Army Service Ribbon
» Army Good Conduct Medal
» Overseas Service Ribbon
»
2 Certificate of Achievements
with Delta Company 29th Signal Battalion Funeral Detail

12-17-2003 Update from Terry:
Got word that they may be calling up soldiers after the new year.  I will answer the call, if I am called upon!  I could not think of a better way to represent my country. 
 A word to the public, instead of complaining and whining about the politics of war and policing efforts, think of the many (YOUNG) soldiers and support them.  In my eyes, many citizens of this country are not in support of the soldiers and their efforts to carry out their missions brought upon by the COMMANDER IN CHIEF!

Webmaster Note:  Terry…our community supports you and
the efforts of our military people.  We’re proud of the work that’s being done to preserve freedom for everyone.  A major purpose
of this website is to let our community (especially our children) know who the real heroes are. We will continue to pray for all of them.  Sour notes of a few do NOT represent the majority
.   

Terry’s grandfather, Mitchell Lewis, served in the Army during WW11.

 

Evans, James Fred


US Air Force
Lt. Colonel – Retired
b 12-18-1931     d 4-6-2006
 
Chicago IL      Tuscon AZ
Age 74y, 3m, 20d
Ft Custer National Cemetery (ashes)
Battle Creek MI

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1950

In service
1954 – 1982

 

 
Fillmore, Steven M. Flemming, Jeffrey Jon

Steve and Linda Birtman Fillmore - Hartford MI
US Marines
Steve and Linda Birtman Fillmore. 

In service
2-2-1982 to 3-1-2002

Served in
Yuma AZ, Iwakuni Japan, Quantico VA, Dallas TX, Twentynine Palms CA, Grand Rapids MI, Cherry Point NC, Camp Lejeune NC, Okinawa Japan, USS Saipan, Ojijahrba Japan, Mount Fuji Japan

Click here to view
Seargent Fillmore’s excellent
review as he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1980

Married to
Linda Birtman Fillmore HHS1981

 


 US Marine Corp.
Military Policeman-Retired
Company First Sergeant
b 05/15/62

1st Battalion, 6th Marines
Charlie Company


In service
2-2-1982 to 3-1-2002

AWARDS
» Meritorious Service Medal
»  Navy Marine Corps
 Commendation Medal
» Navy Marine Corps
Achievement Medal
» Good Conduct (6th Award)
»  National Defense Medal
» Certificate of Commendation
(13 Awards)
» Meritorious Masts
(12 Awards)

»  Sea Service (2nd Award)
Artic Service Ribbon
» Meritorious Unit Ribbon (3)
» 1999 Marine Corps
Aviation Association’s 2d Marine Air Wing
Marine of the Year Award.

 


US Navy
Interior Communication
IC2 – 2nd Class
b  7-27-1956        d 5-29-2004
Kalamazoo MI        Hartford MI
Age 47y, 10m, 3d
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI

In service
9-12-1975 to 9-1979

Served on the
USS Farragut DDG37

AWARDS
»
Cold War Certificate

Was in New York Harbor during OpSail76 and one of the first ships to enter the waters off of Russia.

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1975

Lifelong resident of Hartford.  Son of George & Minnie Warman Flemming, stepson of Norb Nelson.

Hartford Fire Department
Fireman of the Year – 2003

Employed as Computer Teacher by Hartford Public Schools, as well as his own business of JR Electronics.
  Frontczak, Richard Garner, Edward
US Navy
Lieutenant
b 5-1-1929     d 11-24-2000
Chicago IL       Tuscon AZ
Ashes buried at sea

In service
1946-1967

From
HHS Class of 1946

Served aboard the
Aircraft Carrier Kearsarge,
    In the early days of the Space Program he served aboard the Aircraft Carrier Kearsarge which was assigned responsibility for recovery of the astronauts and the space capsules.

Son of
Clarence and Louise Garner

Married to:
Ruth Kimball Garner
Edna Garner

     After his retirement from the Navy, Garner owned and operated a television sales and service in California. He later moved to Tucson after selling this business and joined the faculty of Pima Community College in the Electronic Department.  He eventually served as Department Chairman.  He retired from the College after 15 years.  He was an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association in Green Valley Arizona serving a one year term as that organization’s President.
    

Richard Frontczak US Army 1946-1948
US Army
Adjutant General – Clerk
Technician 4th Grade
b 3-2-1928
St. Joseph MI

In Service 1946 – 1948

Stationed at
2nd Army Headquarters,
Ft. Mead NY

Awards and Medals
» Victory Medal
» Sharpshooter Badge
» Award for playing on the 1948 Post Championship Basketball Team

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1946

Resided in Hartford 1930 – 1952

2005- Resides in South Haven MI.
Gifford, Charles Hollan
US Marine Corp
PFC 1st Class – E2
US Army National Guard Res

PFC 1st Class
b  1939              d 1-16-2005
                  Pinellas Park FL

Age 66

In service
19__ to 7-1962
US Marines

19__ to 1-12-1979
National Guard Reserve
Headquarters Co.
1st Battalion 246 Armor


From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1956
 

Green, Ernest Harford

Groth, Frank


Ernest Harford Green US Army 1945-47

US Army – Corporal
b 7-16-1927      d 12-12-1988   
 Age 61y, 4m, 30d
Buried in
South Wayne Cemetery
Dowagiac MI

Stationed at Ft. Sill, OK


In service 1945 to 1947

From Dowagiac MI
Lived in Hartford 1960-1969

DHS Class of __
Did not graduate, left school to
work and then entered service.

Married Betty (
Velthouse) Green

Ernest and his family lived in Hartford from 1960-1969. He owned the Sinclair Station from 1962-1964.


Ernest’s son, Laurel Dale Green,
was in the Air Force during Vietnam 1968-1973. Son-in-law,
Rick Bachman, served in the US Army during Vietnam 1967-1969,

Information and photo submitted by Ernestine Green Bachman, daughter.
 


Frank Groth - US Army
US Army
b 1-20-1937     d 3-8-2012
Bangor MI     Coloma MI

In Service
19__ to 19__

Served at
White Sands Missile Range
New Mexico.

From
Hartford MI
Class of 1955

Son of
Wheeler and Rose (
Pikal) Dibble

Married to:
Lydia
Sarabia Groth

Last residence
Coloma MI


 

Johnson, James Elton
US Army
Infantry Mortar
Sergeant First Class
 

 

In service
1991 to 7-31-2008 Retired
2-04 to 2-05 Iraq
10-02 to 5-03 Kosovo

1983-1986

Served in
Ft. Stewart GA, 2 tours in Korea, 2 tours in Germany, Ft. Hood TX,
Ft. Leonard Wood MO, Ft. Knox KY

Medals and Awards
»
Meritorious Service Medal upon retirement
» NATO medal:
» 4 Overseas Service Ribbons (OSR)
» Army Service Ribbon (ASR)
» 3 Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons (NCOPD)
» Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWTEM)
» Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWTSM)
»
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KOSCM):
» Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM)
» 2 National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)
» 5 Good Conduct Medals (GCDM)
» Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
» 6 Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM)
» Presidential Unit Citation Award
» Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
 

James Johnson and wife O Kyung - US Army
James Johnson and wife, O Kyung

b 11-5-1961
Watervliet MI

From HHS Class of 1980

Resided in Hartford 1965 – 1983

Son of
James and Eva (Huffman) Johnson

Resides in
Elizabethtown KY upon retirement
 

  Joseph, Richard L. Keech, Richard
Richard L. Joseph - US Army
US Army
1st Lieutenant
Ord Gen Supply Br Store Div

b 1-17-1932       d
3-13-2006
   Columbus OH     Winchester VA
Age 74y, 1m, 27d
Buried in
Sacred Heart Cemetery
Winchester VA

In service
6-17-1954 to 5-31-1956

Served in France

Awards & Medals
» National Defense Medal

Son of Harold Homer and
Nina Margaret (
Yohe) Joseph

Graduate of
HHS Class of 1949

Civil Service career as a program analyst
with the Department of  Defense and system analyst with the Small business Administration.

2008 – information & photo submitted
by his sister, Catherine Fields


 

Richard Keech - US Air Force
US Air Force
b  2-11-1936         d 1-31-2015    Allegan MI     Stevensville MI  
Age  78y, 11m, 22d

In service
19__ to 19__

Graduate of
HHS Class of 1954

Son of
Gerrit (Barney) and
Louthelle Keech

Married to
Barbara
Keech

Last Residance
Baroda MI

Richard’s brother, Jim, also served in the U.S. Air Force during Korea.

Kellogg, Schuyler (Sky) Patrick Kendzior, Jerry L. Kiefer, Donald G.

Schuyler Patrick Kellogg - US Navy
US Navy
3rd Class Petty Officer
Diesel Mechanic on LCI Amphibian
b 1-20-1929        d 8-18-2017
  
Flint MI                 Niles MI

In service 1946 to 1948

Stationed out of Coronado CA

Married to
Charleen Reneberg Kellogg

Owned and operated
Kellogg Hardware from
1956 to 1988
and resided in Hartford during that time.  His son, Mark Kellogg, now owns and operates Kellogg Hardware.

Photo and information submitted
by Bill Dyer 1-6-2004


Jerry L Kendzior, Hartford MI - US Army
US Army
31C10 Radio & Teletype
Specialist – 4th Class
6/8 FA & 66th MI Brigade
b 7-21-1967
Watervliet MI

In service
1986-1989

Stationed at
Ft. Ord, CA
Augsburg, Germany

Medals & Awards
»
Army Achievement Medal

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1985

Resided in Hartford
1967-1986
2004 to present

Son of
Robert & Gloria (
Lambrecht) Kendzior


 


Don Kiefer - W2
US Army
Communications Specialist
Spec 4th Class
Maintained and repaired communications radios.
b 8-28-1938

Photo taken at
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO on 1-7-1957

In service

12-2-1956 to 12-1-1962
Honorable Discharge

Stationed at
Ft. Leonard Wood MO.

Awards and Medals
»
Sharpshooter medal for M-1 rifle
» Marksman medal for 45 cal Pistol

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1956

Resided in Hartford until 1956.

Married Elsie Marie Geurin, who was from the HHS Class of 1959.


Moved from Hartford to Richardson, TX in 1967 then to Kaufman TX

2004 update
Retired from UPS on 1-30-2004,
after 20 years of service.  Wife, Elsie, retired from the Paper Factory in 2002 and passed away 9-10-2004.

2006 update
Residing in Sheboygan WI.
 
Kowerduck, Robert William
Aircraft Mechanic

 
b 4-25-1929        d 6-30-2017
St Joseph MI     Hartford MI
88y, 2m, 7d

Son of
Demetrie & Lydia Ulrich Kowerduck

    
 He was a member of the Stevensville American Legion Post 568 in Stevensville over 30 years before transferring to the Coloma American Legion Post 362.
    

Lavanway, LaVon (Spike)
Spike LaVon LaVanway 1956-58 USMC
US Marine Corp. – PFC
Food Service
1st Marine Div.

H&S Headquarters
Camp Pendleton, CA

In Service 1956 – 1958

From Watervliet MI
WHS Class of 1956

Resided in Hartford since 1964.

Lynch Jr., James H
US Army
b 12-1-1961         d 1-19-2003
41y, 1m, 20d
Died in house fire at his
home at 19 W. Bernard St.
Hartford MI

In Service 1980 to 1983

From Watervliet MI

Graduate of
Watervliet High School
Class of 1980

Resided in Hartford
at time of death.

 

Manning, Jeremy Todd
Jeremy Todd Manning 1991-96
West Point

In service 1991 – 1996

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1991

Jeremy’s father, 
William (Bill) Manning served during the Vietnam War.


Martens, Charles D.
Charles D. Martens - US Army of Occupation 1947
US Army
Army of Occupation
T5 Technician (5th Grade)
b 5-14-1928       d 11-29-1986    Age 58y, 6m, 17d
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Lot 25 – Section 3
Hartford MI

Photo taken in Osaka Japan in 1947

HQ 25th Inf. Div. – Osaka Japan

In service
9-25-1946 to 2-9-1948

Awards
»
World War 2 Victory Medal
» Marksmanship Badge – Carbine S .165
» Army of Occupation Medal – Japan

HHS Class of 1946

Resided in Hartford from 1939 to 1986

Information and photo submitted by his wife,
Margaret Colman Martens in December 2002

 
Meachum, Maurice Eugene
US Army
82nd Airborne Div
b 4-6-1938       d 10-14-2007
Hartford MI        Hartford MI
Age 69y, 6m, 10d

In service
19__ to 19__

Retired after 25 years of service
from Cast Matic in Stevensville MI

Active member of the
Van Buren Sportman’s Club and American Legion Post 362 of Coloma

Married to Joan Smith Meachum

Maurice’s brother, William Meachum, also served in the US Army and brother,
Dwight Meachum, served in the US Army during Vietnam.
Meachum, William E "Willie"
US Army
b 2-20-1937      d 4-1-2005
Hartford MI       Lawrence MI


In service
12-14-1954 to 12-12-1958

Last residence – Lawrence MI

William’s brother, Dwight Meachum, served in the US Army during Vietnam. Brother, Maurice Meachum, served in the US Army.

 

Meagher Cummings, Carla Jo
Carla Cummings d 8-12-2010

US Army
b
Nov. 15, 1957       d 8-12-2010
Watervliet MI    
Kalamazoo MI
Age 52y, 8m, 28d
Buried in
Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI

In Service
19__ to 19__

Served in Germany

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1975

Daughter of
Austin & Eva (Harbert) Meagher

Last resided in
Hartford MI
 

Mireles, Ruben Andres
U.S. Marine Corp.
b 9-16-1979

In Service 1998 – 2002

Served in San Diego CA

HHS Class of 1998

Resides in Hartford
1979 to present



Information provided by
his sister, Lenora Mireles
on 1-5-2004

 

 

Nichols, Jr., Murray E.
US Army – 2nd Lieutenant
     
b 6-16-1930         d 7-11-2001
Indianapolis IN        Lawton MI
Age 71y, 26d
Buried at
Woodland Cemetery
Dayton OH

In Service
6-27-1954 –  6-26-1956
Active Duty
and
ROTC program through Ohio State Univ.

Son of
Murray and Louise Winston Boteler

preceded in death by his mother, Louise , and his father, Murray E. Nichols, Sr.

Married to
Maureen Cole Nichols

 

Orr, James

US Navy

In service 19__ to 19__
 
Paulus, John Pleyer, Ronald Pomeroy, Mary

US Army
Radar Operator – E4
b 10-12-1933
Bangor MI
 
In Service
4-20-1954 to 4-19-1956
(shortly after Korean ceasefire)

Served at
Camp Chaffee, AR
Ft. Bliss TX, Rouge Park MI

Awards and Medals
» National Defense Medal
» Good Conduct Medal

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1951

Resided in Hartford 1943-1952

2004 Update:
Now resides in Alameda CA.
 

Ronald Pleyer US Army
U.S. Army
Private 1st Class

 

In service
195_ to ____

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1957

Son of
Joseph & Anne
Pradon Pleyer

Married to
Judy Pawlasik Pleyer

Served at

Awards
 


US Navy-Reserves
Corpsman – E4
Fleet Hospital 9
b 5-5-1968
Watervliet MI

In service
1995 – 2003

From Hartford MI
Attended Hartford High School
Graduate of Lawrence High School
Class of 1986

Daughter of
Kenneth (HHS 1944) and
Margaret (Deckard) Pomeroy

Married to
Carlos Harp

Spent time in Iceland; was involved in desert training, which was filed for the Discovery Channel; spent a month in Alaska working with two other branches of service to build a road across an island.

Mary’s father, Kenneth Pomeroy, served in the US Navy during Korea.

 

Rose, Donald
   
Aug. 3, 1929         d 7-11-2017
      Hartford MI          St Joseph MI

from
Hartford MI

Attended
Hartford Public Schools

Son of
Donald & Delta Rassette Rose

Married to
Julia VanDeWiele Rose

Owner of
Rose Well Drilling
 
Rosewall, Andrew L. Saline, Eric Shafer, Daniel
US Coast Guard
E6 Avionics Electrical Technician
HH65 Helicopter flight mechanic
HU25 Falcon Jet System Sensor Operator and Basic Aircrew

b 3-1-1972
Watervliet MI

In service
1998 to present

Served in
Persian Gulf, Afghanistan
USCGC Planetree, Ketchikan AK
USCG Air Station, Savannah GA
USCG Air Station, Corpus Christi TX
USCG Air Station, Cape Cod MA

Helped with rescues during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.  Arrived in New Orleans on the 2nd day and assisted with Search & Rescue from an HH65 helicopter deployed from Corpus Christi.

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1990

Resided in Hartford
1972-1990

Son of
Alvin Rosewall HHS 1967
and
Angie Cotman Jacob HHS 1970

Married to
Andrea Rosewall

Eric Saline - Hartford Michigan
US Air Force

In service
19__ to 19__

From Hartford MI
HHS  Class of 1987

Son of
Gary and Melva (Sanders) Saline

Eric’s father, Gary, served in the US Navy during the VietNam Era.
 

Daniel Shafer US Marines 1975-79 from Hartford MI
US Marines
Combat Engineer
Corporal

From Hartford MI
Class of 1975

In service
1975 – 1979

Served at
Camp Pendleton CA
Camp Hansen, Okinawa

Medals and Awards
Good Conduct Medal

Son of
Tracy & Gwen Jensen Shafer

Lifetime resident of Hartford MI

Daniel’s father, Tracy Shafer, served during the Korean War.
 

Smith, Thomas C.

Stoddard, Richard


Thomas C. Smith - Korea
US Army
PFC – PX
b 1936

In service
1956 – 1958 Active Duty
1958 – 1962 Reserves

Stationed in Korea
during active duty.

From Benton Harbor MI
BHS Class of 1955

Hartford resident since 1959.

Owner of
Tom Smith Tractor Co.

6/2004 – Photo and information submitted by his wife,
Verna Wolfe Smith



US Air Force
Aircraft Maintenance Specialist
Sergeant E4
(Rick is on the right in the photo)

68th Tactical Squadron
F4E Phantom jets

In service 1976 to 1980
Georgia, Alaska, Nevada, Germany

Awards
»
Expert Rifleman
» Good Conduct Medal

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1972

Married to
Janis Langston Stoddard HHS 1975

Rick’s father, Clinton (Chink) Stoddard, served during World War 11.
 

Strasser, Larry Lee
US Air Force
MSgt-Retired
b 2-14-1955

In service
2-1974 to 4-1996

From Hartford
Class of 1973

Son of
Wilber and Barbara Strasser

Married to
Cheri Overhiser Strasser

Resides in Gobles MI

 

Summerhill, Anthony W.
Anthony W. Summerhill - Hartford Michigan
US Army
M60A3 Tank Crewmember 19E  – E5
1/2 ACR / 5/73rd Armor 194th Ar. Bde

b 11-12-1963  Watervliet MI

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1982

In Service
1982-1986

Served at:
1984 to1986 5th. Battalion 73rd.
Armor 194th. Armored Brigade
1982 to 1984 – 1st. Squadron 2nd.
Armored Calvary Regiment Boarder Duty Bindlach, Germany.

Patrolled the East German Czechoslovakian border during the cold war era to protect
the Federal Republic of Germany from
the Soviet threat.

Medals and Awards
» Expert Pistol Badge
» Expert Hand Grenade Badge
» Army Service Ribbon
» Overseas Service Ribbon
» Good Conduct Medal
» NCO Professional Development Ribbon.

Son of
Bobbie E. (HHS 1960) and
Mary E. Gribbins Summerhill


Married to
Virginia F. Anders Summerhill
 

Tarantino, Paul Donald
U.S. Army
 
  b 4-15-1943     d 10-13-2016
Benton Harbor MI     Hartford MI
Buried in
Hill Cemetery
Lawrence MI


Son of
Paul and Bernice (Cook) Tarantino

Married to
Sandra Arndt Tarantino

     He was an aircraft mechanic for Whirlpool Corp., retiring in June of 2004, after 31 years of employment.

Tucker, Robert William

Tucker, William Robert Tyer, Kenneth Orin

Robert Tucker - Hartford Michigan
US Marines

In service
19__ to 19__

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1984

Son of
Robert & Teddy Tucker
 

William Tucker - Hartford Michigan
US Marines

In service
19__ to 19__

From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1985

Son of
Robert & Teddy Tucker

 


U.S. Air Force
  b 9-29-1929         d 7-27-2008
Decatur Twp MI     Hartford MI
Age 78y, 9m, 30d
Buried in
Keeler Cemetery
Hartford MI

In service
19__ to 19__

Son of
Grant and Hermasa (Johnson) Tyler

Married to
Ellen Burkett
 

Vann, William H. (Billy)

Vassar, Peter
US Army

In Service
1994 to 1997

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1992
 

 

Vint, George Andrew
US Army
Staff Sergeant – Message Center
b 1-17-1926      d 5-3-2003
                       Kalamazoo MI
Age 77y, 3m, 16d
Buried at
Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI

In Service
1944 to 1946

Served in Italy

Married to
Lorna J. Kozelink HHS 1947


Bill Vann
US Navy
Musician – 3rd Class
b 4-24-1934    d 2-29-2008
Age 73y, 10m, 8d
Buried at
Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI


In service
12-1955 to 8-1957

Stationed at Kodiak, Alaska

From Hartford
HHS Class of 1952

Resided in Hartford since 1950.

Professional Musician – played on WKZO-radio and WKZO-TV with Rem Wall and the original Green Valley Boys. The group organized during the 1940s, with Billy Vann joining the band in 1955.

In 2000, famous for his mastery of the steel and electric guitar, Billy was inducted into the Michigan Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
 

Walker, James R

Walker JR., Harold

                     US Army
b  8/23/1933            d 12/31/2016
  Hartford MI                 Foley AL


Son of
Harold and
Beatrice (Manley) Walker

 Married to
Clara Gordon Walker


He was a volunteer fire fighter

for over 40 years. He loved the outdoors, gardening and nature.

 

Harold Walker Jr, also served
 in the US Army.


Harold Walker Jr.
US Army
443rd Anti-Aircraft Mechanic
b 12-4-1934          d 6-5-2017
Hartford MI           Hartford MI

In service 1954-1958

Son of
Harold and Beatrice Manley Walker

Married to
Jean Rush Walker

Life-long Hartford resident.
HHS Class of 1953

Past Hartford Fire Chief

James R. Walker, also served in the US Army.

 

Ward, Thomas Craig

Wilcoxson Jr, Paul R.W.


Thomas Ward - Hartford Michigan
US Navy
 
b 10-9-1964         d 9-26-2003
Kalamazoo MI        Hartford MI
Age 38y, 11m, 18d


Paul Wilcoxson Jr. USMC - Hartford MI
US Marines
b 2-2-1961       d 12-4-2007
St Joseph MI     Dowagiac MI
Age 46y, 10m, 1d
Buried at
Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI 

In service 19__ to 19__

Son of Paul and
Catherine (Lanny) Wilcoxson Voss

Employed with BOSCH Corp.

Member of the
Hartford Federated Church
 

Wilkens, James S.

Wilkens, John

Wilkens, Joseph


Jamie Wilkens USAF
US Air Force
Airman 1st Class
b 10-6-1964          d 4-9-1986   
Age 21y, 6m, 3d
Buried in Lawrence Cemetery
Lawrence MI

In Service 19__ to 1986
Died during active duty 
in a car accident

From Lawrence MI, 
LHS Clas
s of 1968

Lived in Hartford MI 
most of his life.

Jamie’s father, Patrick Wilkens, served during the VietName era.  Brothers,  Joseph Wilkens and John Wilkens, also served in the military. 
 


John Wilkens
US Air Force

In service 19__ to __

John’s father,
Patrick Wilkens served in
US Navy during the VietNam era
.
Brothers
Joseph Wilkens and Jamie Wilkens served in the US Air Force.


Joseph Wilkens
US Air Force

In service 19__ to __


John’s father, Patrick Wilkens served
in the US Navy during the VietNam era
.  Brothers John Wilkens and Jamie Wilkens served in the US Air Force.
 

Wilkinson, Robert Kabel Wismer, Cecil Roy  

Robert Wilkinson d 5-11-2011

Army Air Corps
Chief Warrant Officer (Ret)
b 7-28-1915           d 5-11-2011
Hartford MI            Soldotna Ak
 Robert’s ashes scattered in the Kenai River Alaska
     

In service
1933 to 1962 USAF
1962 to 1975 US Civil Service

Served in
Selfridge Field, near Mt. Clemes MI,
California, Michigan, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Japan. In January 1941 he was transferred to Alaska, traveling to Seward on the SS St. Mehiel and by train to Fort Richardson where he was assigned to the Army Air Corps until his unit was deployed to the Aleutian Theatre with stops in Dutch Harbor, Attu, and Amchitka.
In 1959, the USAF transferred him from Georgia to Ladd AFB, later named Fort Wainwright.

Son of
 Irving and Matilda Wilkinson

Married to
Betty Jane Ashley Wilkinson

.   


Cecil Wismer - USNAF
US Naval Air Force
Petty Officer 4th Class
Aviation Supply
  
b 9-25-1939          d 12-12-09
Benton Harbor MI     Hartford MI

In service
1960 – 1964

Served during the

Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962


Stationed at
Norfolk VA – 2 years
Air Craft Carrier, USS Essex – 2 years

Awards and Medals
»
Commendation for bravery during a fire

Was blessed by
Pope John XXIII
when ship was ported in Italy.


From Hartford
HHS Class of 1957

Son of
Cecil and Elva (Jones) Wismer

Married to
Mary Pubanz Wismer

Resided in Keeler
1950 to 2009
 

This page will change as names and photos become available.  Check back often for updates.  Complete the On-line Military Submission Form or email the webmaster if you have a photo or information on anyone who served in the military and lived in Hartford or Keeler at any time during their life.  I appreciate knowing of incorrect or incomplete  information displayed on the site.