NWA/DL F/O Mark Leonard Trankina

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA/DL F/O Mark Leonard Trankina

September 30, 1966 ~ January 26, 2021

 

Notification with the passing of Northwest/Delta pilot First Officer Mark Leonard Trankina, age 54.  Mark joined Northwest Airlines 03-16-1998 and continued on with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his mother Ellen and his sister Diana.  Obituary information is available for viewing online at

https://www.newcomertoledo.com/Obituary/195393/Mark-Trankina/Toledo-OH 

As noted below, no services are planned to date.

Mark had most recently resided at 2727 Jodore Ave.,  Toledo, OH 43606.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary :  Mark Leonard Trankina, age 54, of Toledo, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021. He was born September 30, 1966, in Toledo to James and Ellen Trankina. Mark graduated from Whitmer High School in 1984, and from Ohio University’s highly respected aviation program with an Associate of Applied Science degree in 1986 and a Bachelor's of Aerospace/Aviation Sciences degree in 1989. From the moment he stepped from a ride in a small Cessna at the Toledo Air Show as a teen, Mark fell in love with flight—the freedom from the chaotic world on the ground, the adventure, and as his training proceeded, the processes and intense focus required in a controlled yet demanding environment. It would become his life’s work.

 

Above all, he loved teaching, helping others along in his chosen profession. He began his career as a trainer at FlightSafety Academy International Flight School in Vero Beach, Florida, instructing students seeking their private pilot license. He moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh to start his career at the former Crown Airways, a regional airline operating for USAir Express that flew midsize turboprop planes to major cities in the northeastern U.S. Working with many other pilots and flight attendants in their 20s, this period of his life seemed to be his favorite and produced many stories of a nomadic lifestyle and colorful antics that he would happily recount in later years.

 

After a brief stint flying cargo for DHL out of Cincinnati, Mark joined World Airways, an Atlanta-based company that at the time operated largely non-scheduled contract flights for the U.S. military, the National Football League, and numerous other private organizations. He traveled the globe many times over, notably flying soldiers to bases around Europe, religious pilgrims to Mecca, and NFL teams to football games, once making the mistake of wishing Bill Belichick “good luck” as he deplaned. (The New England Patriots coach, not a believer in luck, grunted disdainfully.)

 

In 1998, Mark finally “made it to the majors,” joining Northwest Airlines, and staying on as Northwest merged with Delta ten years later. Ultimately, he would put in 12,000 flight hours over 23 years as First Officer on the companies’ DC-9 and 757/767 fleets. He also served as a Delta Pilot Ambassador, attending corporate and civic functions representing the company and pilot group, and as a new-hire mentor. And Mark participated in Delta’s “North Pole” fantasy flights at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, his home base. In partnership with local hospitals, the annual tradition “flies” dozens of children and returns them to the airport gate, where they are welcomed by Santa to a holiday themed party.

 

When not working, Mark was still perpetually in motion, traveling endlessly to visit friends and colleagues from the span of his life, all of whom (and their children) he treated as extended family and loved unconditionally. No call for aid went unanswered, and he never missed an opportunity to take anyone on their first single-engine plane ride, spreading the joy he had first realized years prior. Though he never settled down, he was “Uncle Mark” to many.

 

Mark was preceded in death by his father, James M. Trankina, and brother, Robert R. Moungie Jr. He is survived by his mother, Ellen V. Trankina, and sister, Diana Gaisser.

 

No memorial service is planned. A Celebration of Life will occur a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers or other honors, a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mark’s favorite charity, may be made in his name.

NWA/DL pilot John Hong

 

Belated notice ……………plz forgive if duplicate

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA/DL pilot John Hong

December 20, 1960 ~ September 16, 2019 (age 58)

 

John joined Northwest Airlines 10-14-1988.

He is survived by his wife Mary and his children.

 

OBITUARY  :  John Hong, 58, of Destin, FL, passed away at home on Monday, September 16, 2019, surrounded by his family after a long journey with cancer.  John was born in Dobb’s Ferry, NY, on December 20, 1960 and grew up in New Jersey and Orlando, FL.  John was preceded in death in 2004 by his father Theodore Chin Hong and in 2012 by his mother Seouhee “Sue” (Kim) Hong.  John is survived by his wife and partner of 27 years Mary (Schmiedicke) Hong and by their twin children Rain Hong and Kai Hong, age 12. He is also survived by his brother Robert of Tokyo, Japan, and many aunts, uncles and cousins in the United States and Korea.  John served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and flew the KC-135 Sratotanker between 1981 and 1988 and was recognized by the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron for outstanding service. After his time in the service, John became a First Officer with Northwest Airlines and then Delta Airlines, flying internationally and serving two terms as a representative in the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).  John enjoyed traveling the world and most especially the camaraderie of his fellow pilots and crews.  The highlight of John’s career was being based in Honolulu for 14 years flying wide-body trips to Asia and beyond.  He and Mary formed lifelong friendships and memories during their time there.

 

John’s greatest sources of pride were his children Kai and Rain who brought him endless entertainment and joy.  He bore his responsibility as a father nobly and gave great attention to their care, education, artistic pursuits, hobbies, and happiness.  When they were babies, John would jokingly refer to his children as “food-to-noise converters” but was amazed as they developed into talented pianists and artists, chess whizzes, card sharks, sailors, and funny, bright-hearted, gifted souls.  He loved them as true angels in his life and the one thing on planet earth he wasn’t quite ready to leave.

 

The painful stages of John’s journey were brightened not only by his children and amazing friends who became his caregivers at home but also by the humor and dedication of his colleagues and friends, the real and virtual co-pilots from his professional  and personal life who became the quickest and surest sources of laughter for him on the darkest days.

 

John was an avid collector of electronic gadgets and was proud that his bargain-hunting frugality provided gifts for his generous spirit to share with many grateful recipients.  He truly enjoyed taking care of friends and family in every way with dinners out, lively conversation, genuine interest in our goings-on, with his wit and wisdom throughout.

 

John’s family extends their heartfelt thanks for the compassionate and professional care he received from Dr. Mose Hayes and his staff at Sacred Heart Oncology; Dr. Kasi at the Mayo Clinic- Jacksonville;  Alyssa, Tracey and staff at Emerald Coast Hospice; and Katherine and staff at Destin Health Care and Rehabilitation.  The care and humanity you showed John and his family were exceptional and a blessing to us.

 

We will remember John for his strong sense of justice, his folly in pointing out the idiosyncrasies (idiocies) in the world around him, his love and pursuit of good sushi, good massages, and anything related to his second-home Hawaii, especially his expansive Hawaiian shirt collection. John brought us all humor  with his dry sarcasm,  comfort of the pure generous heart sort,  gadget advice, a few conspiracy theories, and, when he beat you in a verbal spar, the purest smile of simple joy at winning the argument.  Dearest John, we miss you already.  Aloha. Mahalo.  A hui hou.

 

Arrangements are being coordinated with Davis-Watkins Funeral Home in Miramar Beach. Services for John Hong will be Thursday, September 19 at 11am at Saint Rita’s Catholic Church, 137 Moll Dr, Santa Rosa Beach, FL followed by a catered reception and celebration of life that same day from 4:30 to 6:30 at Pavilion F at Henderson State Park in nearby Destin, FL.  Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops welcome.  A burial service will be held in Hawaii in November.

 

 An education fund has been established for John’s children at https://www.gofundme.com/f/hong-children-scholarship-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

 

WA/DL Capt. John Henry Miltner

 

Belated notice………

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. John Henry Miltner

February 24, 1936 ~ June 1, 2019

 

Notification with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain  John Henry Miltner, age 83.  Captain Miltner joined Western Airlines 05-26-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines. Obituary information is available online at

https://www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com/obituary/John-Miltner  

Captain Miltner had resided in Thailand prior to the time of his passing.  He is survived by his children, his grandchildren, and his siblings. 

Obituary information indicates that there were no services.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary : John Henry Miltner passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from dementia-related complications at the age of 83. He had retired to rural Thailand two years earlier, where he was cared for by his son, John Jr., daughter-in-law Wiyada, and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren, Elisabeth and Nick.

 

A fourth-generation Michigan native, John was born and raised in Cadillac, Michigan in 1936 to Mary Blanche Calvin Miltner and Charles Howey Miltner. He was proud to join the first class of the newly created United States Air Force Academy Class of 1959, after graduating from Cadillac Senior High School in 1954 and studying briefly at Michigan Tech. He spent his early career as a B-52 pilot flying combat support in the Strategic Air Command as part of Operation Chrome Dome during the Cold War, and earned an MBA along the way. Later, he transitioned to flying as a commercial airline pilot, first with Western and later Delta Airlines. During a period of industry layoffs, he earned a law degree and briefly practiced as a member of the Colorado bar before resuming his airline career. John lived in Honolulu for twenty-five years until he retired to his beloved Cadillac for another twenty-five. In Cadillac, he briefly (but unsuccessfully) ran for Congress, enjoyed regular international travel, and time spent in the company of friends and family.

 

He is survived by children, John Jr. (Air Force Academy Class of 1992) and Barbara; spouse, Ulle Tensok; brothers, Charles and Ben; and sister, Barbara. John was lovingly cared for by his son’s family in Thailand for the last two years where he enjoyed the adventures and comforts of family life in the tropics. 

 

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary-Therese.

 

Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

NWA/DL Capt. James "Jim" D. Nelson

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA/DL Capt. James "Jim" D. Nelson, Lt. Col (Ret.)

October 21, 1945 - February 06, 2021

 

Notification with the passing of retired Northwest/Delta pilot Captain James Dennis Nelson, Lt. Col (Ret.), age 75.  Captain Nelson joined Northwest Airlines 02-03-1989 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Joanne, his children and his grandchildren.

To view the obituary online and sign the guestbook please visit

https://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-jim-nelson/ 

For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s address is listed in whitepages as

3214 Par St N  ,  Fargo, ND 58102.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  : James “Jim” Nelson, Lt. Col (Ret.)

James “Jim” Nelson, 75, Fargo, ND, passed away on February 6, 2021, at Sanford Health Hospital. Jim was born to Adolph and Mayme (Froslie) Nelson on October 21, 1945, in Sharon, ND. He married Joanne Lyste on December 30, 1966, at Beaver Creek Lutheran Church near Sharon, ND.

 

Jim meant so much to his family and friends, his booming laugh usually a part of the conversations he had with them. He was a straight shooter, who enjoyed summers by the pool and cold beers with good friends. His battle with the squirrels invading his yard knew no bounds.

 

Jim received a mechanical engineering degree from NDSU before enlisting in the Air Force. He served in Del Rio AFB (TX), Ubon AFB (Thailand), Homestead AFB (FL), and Kadena AFB (Okinawa, Japan), before returning to his home state to join with the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Squadron, home of the famed Happy Hooligans. He spent almost as many years in an F-4 as he did on the ground, having been an accomplished and much-respected fighter pilot. He flew nearly 5,000 hours in the F-4, putting him in an elite group of six pilots having the most flying time ever in that fighter jet. This distinction remains to this day. Jim was noted for the successful William Tell competition as a primary flight lead. He was known by members of his squadron as a true Hooligan whose drive for greatness, refusal to accept anything but the best from those around him, and pride to be a Happy Hooligan, will permanently etch him in the memories of those who flew with him. After retiring from the Air Guard, he flew for Northwest/Delta Airlines for the remainder of his career.

 

His love for flight was second only to his love for family. His wife Joanne, their son Jeffrey, and daughter Jennifer will always miss him and love him. His legacy is not defined by him as a fighter pilot but by the man he was and the life he lived. Although he was a great pilot, he was a better man, and that is his legacy.

 

He is survived by his wife Joanne; son Jeffrey (Oksana) Nelson of Seattle, WA; daughter Jennifer (Rick) Jones of Anderson, SC; grandchildren Tierney, Harvey, Gus, Isaac, Yana, and Nikita; brother Leroy (Pat) Nelson; sisters Annette (Bill) Oxton, Carol Reopelle and Donna Smith and sister-in-law Dona Nelson; brothers-in-law, Dan (Dawn) Lyste, Dean (Sherry) Lyste, sisters-in-law, Nancy (Wayne) Lunder and Jadene Lyste. He also survived by 28 nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents Adolph and Mayme Nelson, and two brothers, Norman and Ardean (Kathryn) Nelson, and brothers-in-law, Mauri and Gene.

 

He will be interred at the Fargo National Cemetery. A memorial is planned for a later date.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/222581734/james-nelson

 

 

DL Capt. Lynn Parker Lovelady

 

Belated notice…………

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Lynn Parker Lovelady

September 25, 1937 ~ April 27, 2020

 

Notification with the passing of retired Delta pilot Capt. Lynn Parker Lovelady, age 82.  Captain Lovelady joined Delta Air Lines 08-03-1964 and was based Atlanta.  To view the obituary online please visit

 https://www.littledavenport.com/obituary/LynnParker-Lovelady

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary :  Lynn Parker Lovelady

After an extended illness, Parker Lovelady passed away Monday afternoon, April 27th, 2020.  Parker was born and raised in Double Springs, Alabama. After graduating from high school, he proudly became a student at the University of Alabama until he entered the Air Force where he became a member of an elite group of pilots who flew B-52 bombers in the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. After serving his country and achieving the rank of Captain in the Air Force, he moved to Georgia to start his career with Delta Airlines. During his tenure at Delta, Parker was an outstanding pilot who again earned the rank of Captain and retired with Delta Airlines after 30 years of loyal service.

 

Parker is preceded in death by his father, Sherman Lovelady, his mother, Desa Crittendon Lovelady, and his two brothers Russell and Jack Lovelady. Survivors include his 3 sons, Todd (Laurie) Lovelady, Chris Lovelady and daughter-in-law Sherri Lovelady, and Scott Lovelady and daughter-in-law, Tammy Lovelady. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Talor Lovelady, Casey Pradilla, John Lovelady, Andrew Lovelady, and Spencer Lovelady. Additionally, he has three surviving great grandchildren, Ella Mae Lovelady, Santiago Pradilla, and Frankie Lovelady. He is also survived by his previous wife, Carolyn Lovelady, who remained a devoted life long friend and was his faithful caregiver during his last years of life.

 

In his honor, his family requests you to commemorate him through an act of service to others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gary Sinese Foundation who assists US veterans and first responders (garysinesefoundation.org/donation/) or to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate).

 

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

 

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.