Wednesday, June 19, 2024 • Vol. 147, No. 4

Home | Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes

In 2009, the Astoria South Fulton Argus honored service men and women from the South Fulton area. We asked our readers to submit a picture and information about their loved ones serving/or who have served our country. We are still accepting submissions on an ongoing basis. Please include the following information: name, age, branch, location (include full mailing address) and family information.

Send to Astoria South Fulton Argus, PO Box 590, Astoria, IL 61501; or e-mail argus@kkspc.com with Hometown Hero in the subject line.

In addition to publication in the paper, our Heroes will be added to this page as they come in, listed in alphabetical order by surname.

John Clark

John Clark

  • Born May 29, 1837 in Belmont, Ohio. Gray eyes, five foot six inches tall.
  • Died: Feb. 11, 1911.
  • He married Louisa Ann Trone on Oct. 7, 1958, by Justice of the Peace J.M. Lewis in Lewistown. Newlyweds erected a cabin on 80 acres of timber in Woodland Township.
  • Children: Mary E., born July 13, 1859; twins, Sarah and Minerva J., born Sept. 16, 1861, both died same day; Joseph W., Louise A., Elressa, Rebecca, John H., Simeon R., Sylvester A., born between 1870-1882.
  • In August 1862, he enlisted in Vermont for three years in Company F of Col. Thomas Hamer’s 84th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
  • On Sept. 19, 1863, while engaged in battle at Chickamauga Creek, Ga., John Clark was shot through the hip and captured by Confederate Infantry.
  • He was held at Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. Later transferred to Andersonville. Exchanged and returned home on New Year’s Day, 1865, and discharged June 8, 1865.
  • The family moved to Kansas in 1860. In 1870, returned to a 160-acre farm in Bernadotte Township.
  • Louisa Trone Clark passed away in Table Grove on Dec. 12, 1920.

— Submitted by John Bybee

Hubert Cripe
Hubert Cripe

Hubert Cripe

Morris Cripe

Robert Cripe

  • Robert enlisted as a Corp. Tech after joining the Armed Forces in 1941.
  • Robert was scheduled to be with the first wave of troops on Iwo Jima, but he contracted yellow fever and was unable to go. Ninety-eight percent of that wave were casualties.
  • He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., before being deployed on the first convey and construction of the Alcan Highway.
  • Bob loved it up there so much, that after his wife, Maurine, died in 1982, he returned and drove the highway by car.Morris and Hubert enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. They were ordered to report to Santa Ana, Calif. Both classified as pilots and assigned to primary flight school in California. Next, they were assigned basic flight school in Riverside, Calif. After completing this training, they were assigned to advanced flight school in Roswell, N.M., where they both graduated 2nd Lieutenant and were assigned to training in 4 engine B-17 Bombers.
  • Morris was assigned as a flight instructor in Roswell, N.M.
  • Hubert was assigned as a pilot in B-24 Bombers and flew everywhere from Florida to England.
  • Hubert was assigned to combat mission in France and Germany and was forced to “abandon ship” and was taken as a POW for 14 months in Germany.
  • The three boys along with brother, Wilmer, were born and raised in the Astoria area in the 1920s-1930s. They were a well-known family for years.
  • Robert worked for the Standard Oil Station on Main Street in Astoria for many years, driving a bulk oil truck. He died in September, 1998.
  • Morris owned and operated farms in the Astoria area for 50 plus years. He died October, 2008.
  • Hubert farmed in the Vermont area for several years and worked for FS a number of years. He is currently living in Astoria as well as his brother, Wilmer.
Morris Cripe
Morris Cripe
Robert Cripe
Robert Cripe
Cole Danner

Cpl. Cole R. Danner

4468 E. US HWY. 24
ASTORIA, IL
ILANG 2003

  • Basic and Advanced Training Fort Benning, Ga.
  • Activated 2005-06 Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • Trained at Ft. Stewart, Ga., and Ft. Irwin, Calif.
  • Stationed in Baghdad and Fallujah.
  • Served with B Co. 2-130 Inf.
  • Now serving with ILANG 444th Chemical Co. of Galesburg.
  • Danner is the father of one daughter, Kendyl Raylynn.
  • He is the son of Steve and Janine Danner; grandson of Willard and Peg France, Roberta and Jim Workman and the late Helen and Randall Danner.
  • He is a 2004 graduate of Astoria High School.
Mike Davis

Michael W. Davis
U.S. Army Sgt.
9th Infantry Div.
56th Signal BN
Dong Tam, Tan An
Vietnam
1968-1969

  

Oscar Easley Oscar Easley

(Click the photo above to see a larger version)

Corp. Oscar Easley

  • Born: July 30, 1835, in Freeport, Ohio.
  • Died: April 19, 1885.
  • Married: Amy Freeman (1844- 1918).
  • Children: Marshall, Perry, Fred, Lillie, Norris, Lottie May.
  • Occupation: farmer/miller/sawmill operator between Vermont and Ipava.
  • Civil War: Co. B 84th IL Inf.; 3rd Pioneer Corps, Co. K; 1st Regiment Veteran Vol. Engineers.
  • Interesting fact: Easley was in the audience for Lincoln’s speech on Oct. 27, 1858.
    — Submitted by John Bybee
Daniel Elliott

Daniel P. Elliott

  • Enlisted in U.S. Navy in June 1961 until June 1965, stationed in Norfolk, Va.
  • He was a Second-Class Electrician serving on the USS Randolph during the Cuban Crisis.
  • He passed away March 31, 2012.
Dennis Elliott

Dennis M. Elliott

  • Enlisted in U.S. Navy in June of 1958 till August 1964, stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • He was First-Class Machinist Mate, serving on a destroyer during the Korean Crisis.
  • He passed away Oct. 12, 2007.
John Elliott

John D. Elliott

  • Enlisted in U.S. Navy in June 1965 until June 1969, stationed in Norfolk, Va.
  • He was a Third-Class Petty Officer with the Ship Fighters.
  • He served on the USS Renshaw during the Vietnam War.
  • He passed away March 10, 2005.

Sergeant Kenneth J. Fagan

  • United States Air Force 1955 to 1959
  • Grandson of George and Lulu Irwin of Astoria
  • Was Stationed at Parks Air Force, And Fort Warren Air Force Base in 1955.
  • Served in the South Pacific from Oct. 1955 to February 1959.
  • Served 1 Year as a Warrant Officer JG in the US Army in the 1970s.
  • Dr. Ken Fagan is Retired and now lives in Dardenne Prairie, Mo.
Stanley Fordyce

Master Sergeant Stanley S. "Stretch" Fordyce
July 10, 1918–Feb. 19, 1999

  • Parents: Perry and Carrie Stauffer Fordyce
  • On Aug. 6, 1965, he married Isobel Skiles in Springfield.
  • A Company, 507th Parachute Infantry.
  • D Day June 6, 1944, Sainte-Mere-Eglise.
  • Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944.
  • Wounded at Luxembourg, Feb. 1945.
  • He was a Korea and Vietnam veteran, retiring from U.S. Army, 1968.

Thomas Hamer Thomas Hamer

(Click the photo above to see a larger version)

Col. Thomas R. Hamer

  • Born: June 1, 1818, in White Deer Township, Union County, Pa.
  • Died: March 30, 1906.
  • 1846: Moved to Vermont.
  • 1847: Clerked for Joab Mershon.
  • 1849: Partner with James A. Russell and Richard Johnson in Dry Goods Store.
  • 1850: Married Harriet Emmaline Johnson (1830-1871), second wife, Maryette Johnson (1833-1900); ran on Whig ticket for State Representative and lost.
  • 1851: Jack Matheny plundered store and set it on fire.
  • 1856: Ran on Whig ticket for State Representative and lost.
  • 1858: Entertained Lincoln at his home (now Kost Memorial Home).
  • 1962: Col. 84th IL Vol. Inf., wounded at Battle of Stones River, Tenn. Discharged with disability July 24, 1863.
  • 1865: Upon learning of Lincoln’s assassination, painted his home/store black.
  • 1886: Elected State Representative.

One of the hinges of Civil War history.

On March 4, 1839, Congressional Representative Thomas L. Hamer of Ohio urgently summoned his 21-year-old cousin Tom R. Hamer to his Washington office. The younger Hamer was attending preparatory school in Washington D.C. prior to attending West Point in June. The red-haired congressman was normally and long winded talker, today he was blunt with his cousin. “Tom, this arrangement I made for you to go to West Point is all spoiled. Here’s a letter I just got from Jesse Grant asking me to appoint his son. Now Grant is an influential man in my district in Ohio. The district is very close. I want his (Grant) influence, but I don’t want any charge of nepotism brought against me. I want to have Grant’s influence, so Tom, I’ll have to withdrawal your name and get Grant’s son appointed in your place.”
— Submitted by John Bybee
Wallace Hopkins

2Lt. Wallace Reid Hopkins
20 Jul 1923 – 5 Dec 1943

  • Born on a farm near Ray, Ill., son of Gerald and Zeda Bollinger Hopkins. Older sisters, Nedra Gray and Marjorie Heflin. Niece, Joyce Gray Kinnie.
  • Fourth Army Air Forces, 328th Fighter Group, 327th Fighter Squadron, Mills Field, (South San Francisco) Calif.
  • Single-seat Bell P-39Q-15-BE #44-2437.
  • Fatal weather-related combat-training accident, 9:22 a.m., 5 December 1943. Daly City, Calif., Vermont, Ill., first World War II casualty.
  • Vermont High School Class of 1941
  • Western Illinois University — one year.
  • Basic Flying School — Chico Field, Calif.
  • Primary Flying School — Ryan Field, Ariz.
  • Graduated Pilot at Luke Field, Ariz., 1 October 1943, Gene Autry presented him his wings.

Hopkins Group Photo

Standing, left to right: Capt. Maurice E. Speer, Lloyd S. Coleman (Instructor), Lt. Robert Keenan. Sitting, left to right: Wallace R. Hopkins, John W. Fitzgerald Jr, Samuel W. Herman.

Andrew Kirkbride Andrew Kirkbride

(Click the photo above to see a larger version)

Col. Andrew B. Kirkbride

  • Born: Jan. 5, 1833, in Circleville, Ohio.
  • Arrived in Vermont: Nov. 19, 1853.
  • Died: Dec. 31, 1877, in Rushville.
  • Wife: Ellien (Dilworth)
  • Occupation: miller/spoke maker
  • Civil War: Commanding Officer 3rd IL Vol. Cavalry.
  • 1864: Sioux Indian Campaign, Ft. Snelling, Minn.
  • 1873: Doorkeeper Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
  • 1875: C B & Q Route Agent — Lewistown-Rushville branch.
  • Interesting fact: Kirkbride protected the identity of two Penn. women, Nellie Grave and Fanny Wilson who dressed and fought as men under his command in the Red River Campaign.
    — Submitted by John Bybee
Brennan Klitz

Brennan Klitz
Age 19
Marine Corp
Radio Man – Infantry
Camp Baharia
Fallujah-Iraq

 Mailing Address:
LCpL Klitz
1/4 H&S HQ
Unit 40265
FPO AP 96426-0265
Charles Lutz Charles Lutz paper

Ltc. Charles Jean Lutz
Astoria, Ill.
29 December 1943

  • Mrs. Locie Lutz of Astoria was told by the war department that her son, Major Charles Jean Lutz, reported missing in action, had been promoted to lieutenant colonel and searches for his plane were being continued.
  • 22 January 1943 nighttime landing accident involving copilot, then Capt. Charles Jean Lutz
  • 3rd Army Air Forces, Huner Field, Ga.
  • 84th Bomb Group, 302nd Bomb Squadron
  • Two-place Douglas A-24A
  • Pilot 2Lt. Benjamin G. Williams attempted to land without lowering landing gear.

To see a larger version of the paper shown at left, click on the image.
William Rawson

1Lt. William Brooks "Hut-Sut" Rawson
COLCHESTER
March 8, 1920 — April 11, 1943

  • Son of William M. and Hazel E. Rawson.
  • 82nd Fighter Group, 96th Fighter Squadron.
  • Northwestern African Air Force, Berteaux, Algeria.
  • (Lockheed P-38F Lightning) Three aerial victories.
  • MIA April 11, 1943, while engaged with enemy aircraft on a combat sweep over Sicilian Strait.
  • Declared KIA April 12, 1944.
Robert Reynolds

1Lt. Robert Dean Reynolds
Lewistown Ill.
28 Feb 1925 – 31 Jan 1951

  • Son of Dean “Ike” and Marjorie Reynolds.
    3595th Training Group Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • Single-place fighter — F-51D-30NA, 44-74456A
  • 31 January 1951, 8:15 a.m., at 13,000 feet, 15 miles northwest of Nellis AFB, on a mock combat training mission, Lt. Reynolds was one of four propeller-driven F-51 Mustangs engaged by a lone jet-powered F-80. Lt. Reynolds’ fighter entered an accelerated stall and Bob Reynolds jettisoned the canopy but was unable to exit the aircraft before impact.
  • Lewistown High School
  • Eagle Scout
  • World War II AAF Pilot-P51D, 23 December 1944
  • 1948 BS, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mechanical Engineering
    Recalled to active duty for Korea, 3 August 1950.

Byron Riebling
Byron Riebling

Max Riebling
Max Riebling

Riebling Brothers

  • These Riebling brothers joined the Armed Forces in 1942.
  • They are the sons of Carl and Lilly Riebling.
  • They were born and raised in the Astoria area in the 1920s and 1930s, and were a well-known family in the area for many years.
  • Wayne made the Navy his career and retired after 30 years. Byron and Dayle are deceased. Wayne presently lives in Florida. Max lives in Arkansas.

Wayne Riebling
Wayne Riebling

Dayle Riebling
Dayle Riebling
James Shirley

Captain James E. Shirley

  • James was born April 5, 1921, to James and Lillie Belle Lippert Shirley in Bath.
  • He served in World War II from 1944-46 as a Second Lt., serving in Belgium, France and Germany.
  • He fought in the Ardennes Forest, Battle of the Bulge and Remagen Bridge, and received a bronze metal from Battle Remagen.
  • He served in the Korean War from 1951-52.
  • James joined the Army Reserves, where he received the rank of Captain in 1956.
  • He is a member of Astoria American Legion Post #25, and served as Chaplain.
  • He is the father of five children, Peggy Spencer, Ted, Kathie Collins, Mike, and Jeff, deceased.
  • He resides at Astoria Gardens & Rehab Center.
Harold Spencer

Harold H. Spencer

  • Harold was born Nov. 21, 1920, in Beardstown.
  • He was in the Navy from 1940-1946, serving on the U.S.S. Saratoga and U.S.S. Duel.
  • His rank was Second Class Gunnersmate.
  • Harold is the father of Harold Jr., Robert, Gailen, Ronnie, Dave, Christine Sisson and John.
  • He resides in Summum.
Robert Spencer

Robert L. Spencer

  • Robert was born Aug. 11, 1948, to Harold and Margaret Spencer.
  • He graduated from VIT in 1966, and entered the Navy in October 1967, training at Great Lakes Naval Base.
  • He served on the U.S.S. Catskiel, U.S.S. Epping Forest and U.S.S. Pledge.
  • He was on both river and ocean minesweepers on the Mekong River.
  • His rank was E4 Engineman.
  • He was discharged from the Navy in November of 1971.
  • Robert is the father of Jason, Josh, Ginger, Janna and Jenissa.
  • He is a member of Astoria American Legion #25.
Carroll Wickert

Carroll Gene Wickert

  • Carroll is the son of Violet and the late Ronal G. Wickert. He married Marilyn Weisser on Nov. 24, 1962, in Henford, Calif. She is deceased. He married Dona Mayhofer Burson on Oct. 25, 2008, and have two sons and six grandchildren.
  • He graduated Astoria High School Class of 1958, and served in the U.S. Navy from October 1958 to October 1962.
  • He is retired from Ferrilli Armstrong Tire Factory.
  • He volunteered in the Navy, receiving training at Great Lakes, Norman, Okla., Memphis, Tenn., and stationed at Kingsville, Texas. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington to Japan for seven months. He received AMEAN, U.S. Navy Man of the Month Award at Kingsville, Texas, and was a member of the VT-23 (Training Squadron) first time a non-commissioned man ever received this award.
  • Carroll was stationed at LaMoore, Calif., as an Aviation Structural Mechanic, 2C USN Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Lexington with attack squadron 144-Naval Air Force served at Japan, Hong Kong and Philippines, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • He resides at 1093 W. Terrace, Hanford, CA 93230-1939.
Dennis Wickert

Dennis Lynn Wickert

  • Dennis is the son of Violet and the late Ronal Wickert. He is married to Beverly Nehmelmann, and a father of one son, Tyson; and one daughter, Danika; and has two grandchildren.
  • He graduated from Astoria High School in 1964.
  • He is a retired iron worker.
  • He enlisted in the Air Force on Nov. 11, 1964 to Sept. 13, 1969, having basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Water and Waste Purification training, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., stationed at Sawyer Air Force Base, Mich., March, 1965 to July, 1966, Mactan Air Force Base Mactan Island in Philippines from August, 1966 to September, 1967, Phan Rang Air Force Base South Vietnam as a member of Air Force F-100 Super Sabre Wing to Sept. 13, 1968.
  • Ton Son Nhut Air Force Base to September, 1969, receiving the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base, Vietnam for Meritorious Service as a Sanitation Specialist.
  • He was discharged on Sept. 13, 1969, at Travis Air Force Base in California as a Staff Sergeant E5.
  • Dennis resides at 3029 E. Elm St., Springfield, IL 62702-6001.
Quentin Wickert

Quentin Laverne Wickert

  • Quentin is the son of Violet and the late Ronal Wickert. He is married to Dianna Myscofski, and a father of Adam, Courtney and Nicole; and grandfather of six.
  • He graduated from Astoria High School Class of 1968.
  • Quentin enlisted in the Army in October of 1969. Basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Mo., where he received the Outstanding Trainee Award of E-4-3 Company from General William Bradley.
  • He was stationed at Fort Lee, Va., for schooling in BM, etc., then he was stationed in Hanau, Germany, from 1970-72 as a supervisor of NCR Computer Operations honorably discharged with a rank of E-5.
  • He graduated from Illinois State University in 1976 with a bachelors degree in business.
  • Quentin is currently employed by Mediterranean Shipping Company out of Chicago, and resides at Prairie Ridge Road in Crystal Lake.
Ronal Wickert

Ronal Gene Wickert

Sept. 14, 1918 – June 21, 1994

  • Ronal was the son of Charlie and Mable Cass Wickert. He married Violet Klinedinst on April 16, 1939. They have five sons, Carroll, W. Dean, Roy, Dennis and Quentin; and one daughter, Glenna, deceased.
  • Ronal graduated in 1936 from Ipava High School.
  • He served in the U.S. Navy from May 8, 1944 to Oct. 19, 1945. Boot training at Great Lakes, assigned to U.S. Scribner (APD122) a destroyer escort, receiving hospital first class rating when honorably discharged.
  • Port of call at Norfolk, Va., went to Hawaii and was in battle at Okinawa.
  • Ratings received A5, S2/C, HA First Class.
  • He was a carpenter in civilian life.
Roy Wickert

Roy Devere Wickert

  • Roy is the son of Violet and the late Ronal Wickert.
  • He graduated from Astoria High School Class of 1961.
  • He attended Western Illinois University in Macomb for four years, then volunteered for U.S. Navy from July 4, 1966 to April 22, 1970.
  • He went to Boot Camp at Great Lakes on the Drill Team, then Yeoman Personnelman School in Bainbridge, Maryland.
  • Roy was stationed in Washington, DC, in Naval Security as a Communications Technician at Naval Security Station (CT2) E5 when honorably discharged.
  • He has one son, deceased, another son and one daughter; and has twin grandsons. He also was a twin.
  • He is a real estate appraiser in Naperville, and resides at 1452 Briarwood in Naperville.
Dean Wickert

Willis Dean Wickert

  • Willis is the son of Violet and the late Ronal Wickert. He married Carol Anne Garrow on Sept. 16, 1967, in Enasberg Falls, Vt. They have two sons and three grandsons.
  • He graduated Astoria High School Class of 1960. He volunteered for U.S. Marine Corp from July 10, 1960 to July 10, 1964.
  • He went to Boot Camp at San Diego, Calif., Aviation School at Memphis, Tenn, Aviation School at Cherry Point, N.C., and trips to Puerto Rico.
  • He was a clerk typist and office manager at Marine Headquarters in Arlington, Va., and received Corporal honorable discharge. After discharge, since they couldn’t persuade him to reenlist, he was hired as administrative assistant at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, DC.
  • He lived in Catlett, Va.
  • He is retired, presently living at 70 Piedmont Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32164.
Danika Wilson

Danika Dawn Wickert Wilson

  • Danika is married to Jonas Wilson and the mother of Riley Wilson.
  • She is the daughter of Dennis and Beverly Wickert, and granddaughter of Violet Wickert and Mary Jane Nehmelmann.
  • Danika graduated from Springfield High School and attended college there.
  • She enlisted in the Air Force in 1996.
  • She presently is in the National Air Guard in Springfield as an occupational therapist and resides at 600 Gilbert St., Swansea, IL 62226, near St. Louis.
Shane Woods

SSG Shane Lee Woods
339th MP CO.
Camp Bucca
APO AE 09375

  • Shane’s wife is Ruth (Riggins), and he has an 8-year-old son, Cameron and a 16-year-old daughter, Bailey. Shane is originally from Cuba and has lived in Vermont for the past four years. He was a Village of Vermont police officer prior to being deployed to Iraq in November. He will be gone 400 days.
  • He works as a correctional officer at Canton prison. He is active as a volunteer on the fire department, member of Vermont American Legion and coached bitty batters and coach-pitch baseball teams.
  • He would enjoy hearing hometown news by e-mailing, sheriff_woody74@yahoo.com.