The Chesty Puller Chapter (OH-2) of the Women Marines Association

Official Mission Ship's Store Contact and Membership Notable Women Marines - The Early Years Women Marines History Chapter News Notable Women Marines - Post-Vietnam Era Favorite Links Home Page Chapter Photos (2005 - 2008) Historical Photos In Memory (2005 - 2014) Chapter Photos (2008 - 2012) What's New Chapter Photos (2012 +) In Memory (2014 +) Blog

In Memory (2005 - 2013)

This page is dedicated to the women of character who, during their youth, answered the nation's call to serve in the Marine Corps, but who have since gone on to join their fellow Marines on guard at the gates of heaven.  We thank them for their contributions to our country and Corps!  May they never be forgotten.

Please contact site webmaster Jenny Jenkins to request additions and/or changes to this In Memory page.

 

                    --  TAPS  --                                                                                                                                      

Day is done        Fading light         Thanks and praise

Gone the sun       Dims the sight       For our days

From the lakes     And a star           'Neath the sun

From the hills     Gems the sky,        'Neath the stars

From the sky       Gleaning bright      'Neath the sky

All is well,       From afar,           As we go

Safely rest.       Drawing nigh         This we know

God is nigh.       Falls the night.     God is nigh.

(Source for Taps lyrics:  National Insitutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services website, www.hiehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/taps.htm.  The music to Taps is performed by "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band and is available for free download at the U.S. Marine Band's website, www.marineband.usmc.mil.)

 

Marie Jane Peckham passed away February 6, 2011.

Mrs. Peckham served in the United States Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant during World War II teaching Link Trainers to Marine Corps Corsair Pilots (flying by instruments). She also taught plane and ship recognition. She attended Akron University and taught school at Sacred Heart Academy when it was located on Broadway in Akron and was also a graduate of Actual Business College. She had been Mayor Harding A. Wichert's secretary when the City Building moved from Front and Broad Blvd. to Second St. She was the First Clerk of Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court, setting up and organizing the Clerk's office and the Court, with assistance of Harold Graham, first bailiff of the Court. She was also the first Records and Personnel officer of the City of Cuyahoga Falls in 1960, organizing the office from its inception when we became a chartered city.

Marie was an active member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, serving on many boards and committees and the Women's Fellowship. She was a member of the Marine Corps League-Chesty Puller Detachment and Life Member 2nd Marine Division Assn. She was also a member of the Falls Chapter 245 OES, Summit County Historical Society, Stan Hywet, International Institute Women's Aux., Salvation Army Women's Aux., Cuyahoga Falls Senior Golf League, BBC Bridge Club, Friends of Taylor Library. She was also a member and past president of Cuyahoga Falls Woman's Club and chair of the Bowling Section and Travel Section and a former 32 year member and past president of Soroptimist Club of Akron and a former braillist (Books in Congressional Library).

Marie was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and lived all her life in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, graduating from North High School.

Marie and her husband Jack, along with others, were members of the original committee who started the Octoberfest. This committee used their own money for tents, beer wagons, bands, food, etc., gambling for success, which it was and the Octoberfest continues bigger and better to this day.

Preceded in death by her loving and loved husband, Jack; mother and father, Lillian and Bert Cascioli and brother, Alan and his wife, Evelyn, she is survived by many beloved cousins and friends and last but not least her ``adopted' son and daughter, Rich and Kris Gill. They were God's gift to her after the death of her husband, Jack.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 in The Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A Committal Service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb 10 in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Military Rites by American Legion Charles Faust Post 281 Honor Guard. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 in Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 130 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, Pastor Kirk Bruce officiating. In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Church of Christ or your favorite charity.

(Published in the Akron Beacon-Journal 2/8/11)

Mulkey, Barbara Gail*

News Death Notice

MULKEY, Barbara Gail 61, went home Friday afternoon, May 23, 2008 in Springfield, where she lived for the past six years. She was born August 2, 1946 in Murphy, North Carolina, the daughter of John Oscar Sr. and Nellie E. (Mintz) Mulkey. Barbara was a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and a Special Education Teacher. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Springfield Area Emmaus, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans and Women Marine Association (OH-2) of Ohio. Survivors include her mother of Altaville, California; four brothers and sisters-in-law, William F. (Bert) and John Oscar Jr. (Sara) of Springfield, James R. (Kriss) of Blain, Pennsylvania and Roy T. (Becky) of Urbana, Ohio; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Freddie D. (Bill) Waid of Altaville, California and Lindia E. (Terrance) Brady of Burbank, South Dakota; 15 nieces and nephews; seven aunts; three uncles and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father. A celebration of Barbaras life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Weatherman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 1401 West Main Street Springfield, Ohio 45504 or Springfield Area Emmaus. The family is being served by the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME. You may express condolences to the family at
www.littletonandrue.com
Published in the Springfield News-Sun from 5/24/2008 - 5/27/2008

 

Shirley Kemp Mahoney, cherished mom and fun-loving grammy, was born Jan. 13, 1924 and died Feb. 6, 2007 surrounded by family and friends. Shirley and her husband of 56 years, Judge Edward J. Mahoney, raised their children in Cuyahoga Falls. She was a graduate of East High School Class of '42, attended Miami University and graduated from the University of Akron where she was also a Delta Gamma. She served as a corporal in the Marine Corps as an air traffic controller during World War II. Teaching 4th grade at Lincoln Elementary in Cuyahoga Falls for over 20 years brought her much joy. She also reached many children through the Red Cross "Learn to Swim" program for which she taught lessons until she was in her late 70s. Along with her husband, Shirley started the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Basketball League for high school boys. Ed and Shirley also established Cuyahoga Falls Mixed Couples Golf League. Together they cherished the lifelong friendships that grew from these activities. Above all, she enjoyed time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Edward J. Mahoney; son-in-law, Scott Knepp; and brother-in-law, Robert Spaethe, and is survived by her daughters, Meg (David) Doucette of Natick, Mass., Kathy Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls and Barb Mahoney-Kenney of SIlver Lake; grandchildren, Jared Doucette, Tavis Doucette, Colin Kenney and Hannah Kenney and the Victor G. David Family. She also leaves her sisters, Joann (Chuck) Schmid of Brunswick and Beverly Spaethe (Bill Scullion) of Wadsworth and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Thursday at teh Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 am, Friday, at the First United Methodist Church, 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Rev. Susan Lausch officiating, and where military honors will also take place. Final resting place, Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Red Cross Learn to Swim Program (501 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44303) or the Shirley Mahoney Memorial Scholarship through the Cuyahoga Falls Foundation (431 Stow Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221). (Published in the 2/7/07 Akron Beacon-Journal)

Helen M. Shirey, 85, passed away Sept. 11, 2006.  She was born in Akron where she lived all her life.  Helen graduated from North High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.  After the service, she worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in plant protection, then later became an executive secretary for Akron Public Schools.

Preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; sisters, Jenny Joyce and Genevieve Kubilus; brothers, Bobby, Leo, John, and Eddie Sadowski; she is survived by son, Kevin (Cheryl) Shirey; sister, Frances Mittiga; many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron.  Burial followed at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH  44333. 

Published in the Akron Beacon-Journal from 9/17/06 - 9/18/06.

 

PFC POLLY CLELAND

7 March 45 – 26 June 46

WWII Maiden Name: Davis. Married Name: Cleland. Duty Station: Camp Lejeune, NC; Quantico, VA. Grew Up: Struthers, OH. Enlisted From: Cleveland. Civilian Career: Retired. Current Hometown: Lake Milton, OH. Husband: Widow. Hobbies: Crafts, Quilt making. Other Activities: Volunteers at the VA Clinic. Past officer of Eastern Star Memory: Liberty in Washington, DC.

The Chesty Puller Chapter (OH-2) of the Women Marines Association

LANCE CORPORAL STACY ANN DRYDEN 

Local Marine's death confirmed
Friday, October 24, 2008
REPOSITORY STAFF REPORT

The U.S. Department of Defense on Thursday afternoon confirmed the death of a 22-year-old Plain Township Marine who was killed earlier this week in Iraq.

The defense department Web site at www.defenselink.mil said that U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Stacy Ann Dryden died Sunday from injuries sustained in a nonhostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq.

She was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The incident is under investigation.

Dryden's family said she died as the result of an incident at Al-Asad airfield, the second-largest airbase in Iraq. Dryden is the 15th Stark County-area resident, and the first local woman, to die in the Iraq war.

Dryden is the daughter of Thea Dryden and Ronald Dryden. She has a younger brother, Jake.

She attended Belle Stone Elementary School and Taft Middle School, and graduated from GlenOak High School in 2004. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007.

 

Virginia R. "Jinny" Johnston, 84 passed away Dec. 8, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Akron and lived in Mogadore most of her life. Jinny served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. She was employed with Goodyear for more than 30 years. Music was an important part of Jinny's life, beginning with the Marine Corps Band, where she met her husband of 62 years, Harold. Her interest in music grew and she founded the Cadet-ettes of Akron and was the choir director at Mead Avenue Christian Church for many years. Jinny was co-founder of the Akron Sweet Adeline Chapter and later became the chorus director of the newly formed Village Belle Chapter in Mogadore. Preceded in death by her daughter, Judy; Jinny is survived by her husband, Harold; son, Bob (Georgeann) of Wadsworth; daughter, Nancy Johnston (Jeff hayes), of Cambridge; granddaughter, Holly Johnston; sister, Joann Hoffman; and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral service 12/13/06, 12 noon, at the Hopkins Lawver Mogadore Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Ave., with Rev. Harold May officiating. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Mogadore. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, P.O. Box 764, Hudson, OH 44236. (Published in the Akron Beacon-Journal from 12/10/06 - 12/11/06)

Eleanor S. Cottle (Steckewald), age 88, of Worthington, Ohio, died Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Wesley Glen Health Care Center.  Eleanor was born Nov. 1, 1917 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Frederick Otto and Floreance (Beals) Steckewald.  She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and she also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women Reserves during WWII, retiring from the reserves in 1951 with the rank of Captain.  Following her military service, Eleanor worked for CARE in New York City.  She was also a long-time member of the Worthington United Methodist Church and for several years, she co-chaired the Worthing Meals-on-Wheels.  After her husband retired, they spent many winters at the Rice Creek RV Resort in Riverview, FL.  Eleanor is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Harry; daughter, Janet (Jack) Markwick; sons, David (Deborah) Cottle and James (Lydia) Cottle; granddaughters, Elizabeth Markwick and Katherine (Ben) Ogle; grandson, Aaron Cottle; brothers, Paul and Frederick (Joan) Streckewald.  A funeral service was held 11:30 am Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at the Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High St., Worthington, with Dr. W. Edge Dixon officiating.  Burial followed at Walnut Grove Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HomeReach Hospice, 3535 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43214 in Eleanor's memory.  (Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 3/6/2006 - 3/7/2006.)

 

Lee A. McCutchan

KENMORE, Ohio -- Lee A. McCutchan, age 92, of Kenmore passed away on May 9, 2014.

Lee was born in Detroit and graduated from her high school as valedictorian. At the start of World War II, she enlisted in the Marine Corps, where she met her husband Jasper. After the war, she and Jasper eventually moved to Akron, where they started the McCutchan Co. in 1957. 

Lee had several passions. With her title as "Mrs. Kenmore," it was obvious that her first passion was Kenmore. Her family and friends meant a great deal, too. Lee worked on many community projects over the years. One that she was most proud of was helping raise the funds for Lt. Zarle from the SCSO for the Hazmat Acid Suit. With her help, more than enough money was raised for this project. It didn't matter what -- the Olde Tyme Festivals, concerts, service projects for those in need -- if Lee was there, it got done.

Lee was involved in numerous groups:  Kenmore Board of Trade, Kenmore Kiwanis, Akron Board of Trade Council, Kenmore Historical Society, First Glance, Senior Groups, Friends of the Library. In many of these, she took the reins of leaderships. If you needed something done, you needed only to ask Lee. Her education never taught her the word "no." One thing about Lee that a lot of people didn't know was that she never really did anything. That is simply explained:  she always gave the credit to others. She was truly a special lady.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jasper, and her son Joel. She is survived by daughters Cynthia (Robert) Cyori of San Francisco, Cheri (Jerry) Rauckhorst of Honolulu, and Carol (Gary) Clites of Kenmore; daughter-in-law Syndie McCutchan; sister Bernice (Nelson) Barber of Michigan; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

(Obituary information from the Akron (OH) Beacon Journal at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?n=lee-a-mccutchan&pid=170981933&fhid=11965.)