WA/DL Capt. James A. 'Jim' Bishop

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Captain James A. ‘Jim Bishop

January 2, 1933 ~ September 24, 2012

 

    

Word has been received of the passing of retired WA/DL pilot Captain James A. ‘Jim’ Bishop, age 79.  Jim hired on with Western 01-20-1964 and retired with Delta at the mandatory age 60 in 1993.  He was based SLC/LAX.  Jim’s aviation career also included time with the Air Force Reserve.  He was the chief check airman on the 737 at LAX.  He was a much loved friend to many and a highly respected pilot by all.  Jim is simply described as “one of the good guys” and he will be dearly missed.   Survived by his wife Karen Hodges Bishop, personal condolences may be sent to the family at  

20 Jackson ,  Irvine  CA 92620-3360   ...   (949) 551-4651  email:  j010233@sbcglobal.net

The family plans to hold a memorial service, date and time yet to be determined.

Thank you,

~ Carol

Reudean Ravlin, wife of NEA/DL Capt. Fred Ravlin

Obituary for Reudean Ravlin

  August 6, 1942 - September 21, 2012 

Reudean Ravlin, 70, of Spruce Creek, passed away peacefully, on September 21, 2012. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, she grew up in Orlando, graduating from Edgewater High School and Orlando Junior College. She also later graduated from the University of Florida. A Celebration of her life will be held at 11:00am, September 29, 2012 in the Spruce Creek Fly-In at 224 Cessna Blvd. Reudean was known by family and friends as a very compassionate and determined woman. As a fighter she was tough on the outside and as soft of a soul as the color pink that she loved to surround herself in. The greatest love in her life was her husband and family, followed by her love of flying and dance. As a young woman, she was a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines for seven years where she met her loving husband. Reudean was an active member of the Pilots Association, International 99 Women of Flying, EAA Chapter 288, the Women of Wings in Spruce Creek, and the NRA. Reudean had a love for dance, and was an active member of Spruce Creek Creekettes. She was preceded by her parents, Jacob Daniel & Mildred P. Sulton, Betty Jean Muldrow, sister, Jacob Daniel Sulton, brother. She is survived by her husband, F. W. (Jug) Ravlin; brother Willard Wild Sulton (Mary) of Orlando; niece Mary Reudean Morrison (Jeff) of Orlando; nephew Jacob Daniel Sulton (Megan) of Ft. Myers; two grand nephews and one grand niece; and sister-in-law, Jane Sulton of South Carolina. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Port Orange Presbyterian Church (S. Clyde Morris Blvd.). Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com Arrangements under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange.

Condolences may be sent to her husband at:  

Captain Frederick W. "Jug" Ravlin

P.O. Box 291184

Port Orange, FL 32129-1184

~ IN MEMORY ~

Reudean Ravlin, wife of NEA/DL Capt. Fred Ravlin

August 6, 1942 ~ September 14, 2012

Word has been received of the passing of Reudean Sulton Ravlin, wife of retired NEA/DL Captain Fred Ravlin.  I have not seen an obituary to date but I believe Reudean was 70 years of age at the time of her passing. 

Arrangements are not known at this time.  

Survived by her husband Captain Fred Ravlin, personal condolences may be sent to

PO BOX 291184 ,  PORT ORANGE FL 32129-1184

Captain Ravlin can also be reached at 

(386) 788-9447  or   theravlins@aol.com 

NWA Capt. Michael O. Harron

Update - News article:  NWA Capt and RNPA member Michael O'Donnell Harron

  ~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Michael O’Donnell Harron

U. S. Navy and decorated Viet Nam veteran

April 12, 1940 ~ September 21, 2012

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/toledoblade/obituary.aspx?n=Michael-Harron&pid=160274863#fbLoggedOut 

Michael O. Harron (1940-2012)

(News article) A sports standout at St. Francis de Sales High School, a decorated Navy pilot in the Vietnam War, and a retired Northwest Airlines 747 captain, Michael O. Harron has died in Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta. He was 72.

Mr. Harron, a longtime resident of Dunwoody, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, fell Sept. 20 while at a grandson's football game. He did not regain consciousness and died the next day, his wife, Theresa, said.

He was born April 12, 1940, in Toledo to Roberta and John F. Harron, who became manager of Sun Oil's Toledo refinery. He attended Central Catholic High School as a freshman and the next year entered the then-new St. Francis de Sales High School.

"He was my best friend in high school," said Francis X. Gorman, a retired judge of Toledo Municipal Court. "He set the standard for everybody who came after him at St. Francis. He was my hero."

Mr. Harron played on the St. Francis basketball team for three years and was co-captain of the basketball and football teams his junior and senior years. He also was captain as a junior and senior of the golf team, which won the northwest Ohio regional tournament and finished 10th in the state championship. He had varsity letters in the three sports his junior and senior years.

On top of that, he was the president of his junior and senior classes. And he was salutatorian of his graduating class - the school's first - in 1958.

"He was a very good athlete," said his brother, John G. Harron, also a former manager of the Sun Oil Toledo refinery. "He did very well academically as well as athletically."

Mr. Harron returned to Toledo for the 50-year reunion of his St. Francis class, his brother said.

He learned before his death that he was to be inducted into the St. Francis hall of fame. His sons Michael and Brian will attend the ceremony Oct. 18 at the school, as he would have wanted, his wife said.

He went to the University of Notre Dame and in a five-year program received degrees in English and aeronautical engineering. Afterward, he joined the Navy.

"He was very patriotic. He wanted to fly jets," his wife said. He was assigned to the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier, and in the Vietnam War flew an A-4 Skyhawk on 99 combat missions. He wrote to his wife every day.

"It was just a very life-changing experience for him, to be always worrying about whether you'd get back to the ship," she said.

"We were so young when we got married. When he came home, it reinforced what was most important to him, which was his family."

He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 Air Medals, and five Navy Commendation Medals, his family reported, yet he rarely spoke of them.

"He just wasn't that kind of guy," his wife said.

Judge Gorman learned of the honors when reading his obituary.

"I was blown away. He was one of the nation's heroes," Judge Gorman said.

Mr. Harron was a pilot for Northwest Airlines for 32 years, retiring in 2000 as a captain of 747s. His assignments sent him around the world and away from home for several days at a time, but he was off duty for several days at a time as well. As his seniority increased, he could schedule his work around his sons' activities.

"He loved flying," his wife said. "It was a wonderful life, and when he was home, he was home."

Surviving are his wife, Theresa, whom he married Aug. 14, 1965; sons, Sean, Michael, and Brian; brother, John G. Harron; sisters, Sheila Harron and Bridget Harron, and eight grandchildren.

Services were last week in Dunwoody, Ga. Arrangements were by Fischer Funeral Care, Atlanta.

The family suggests tributes to the St.. Vincent DePaul Society of All Saints Church, Dunwoody,

Contact Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com  or 419-724-6182.

.Published in Toledo Blade on October 5, 2012

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Michael O’Donnell Harron

U. S. Navy and decorated Viet Nam veteran

April 12, 1940 ~ September 21, 2012

Notification of the passing of retired NWA pilot and RNPA member Captain Michael Harron, age 72.  Captain Harron’s unexpected death was due to injuries that were suffered in a fall.  Captain Harron hired on with Northwest 12-02-1968.   Funeral services for Captain Harron will be conducted Thursday, September 27th at All Saints Catholic Church in  Dunwoody GA. 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at  http://www.fischerfuneralcare.com/ 

Survived by his wife Theresa personal condolences may be sent to

5544 Bunky Way , Atlanta  GA 30338-3304    .... (770) 393-4503

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=Michael-HARRON&pid=160099920#fbLoggedOut 

Michael O'Donnell Harron, 72, of Dunwoody passed away unexpectedly from injuries sustained in a fall on September 21, 2012. Michael was born on April 12, 1940, in Toledo , Ohio . He was preceded in death by his parents, John Francis Harron and Roberta Cusick Harron. Michael graduated from The University of Notre Dame in 1963 with degrees in English and Aeronautical Engineering. He joined the Navy in 1963 and after receiving his wings was assigned to the USS Coral Sea. He flew ninety-nine combat missions in Viet Nam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, ten Air Medals and five Navy Commendation Medals. He joined Northwest Airlines in 1968 and retired after thirty-eight years as a 747 Captain. His faith and family were most important to him. He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife, Theresa, and his pride and joy in his three sons. Michael is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Theresa, their three sons, Sean and wife, Andrea, Michael and wife, Jessica, Brian and wife, Colleen, grandchildren Lauren, Quinn, Caitlin, Catherine, Aidan, Sean Patrick, Emma, and Madeline. He is also survived by siblings, John G. Harron, Sheila Harron, and Bridget Harron. A memorial mass will be celebrated by Rev. Joel Konzen, S.M., on Thursday, September 27th, 10:30 A.M. at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to All Saints Catholic Church Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Please sign online guestbook at www.fischerfuneralcare.com  Arrangements by Fischer Funeral Care, Atlanta, 678-514-1000

.Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on September 25, 2012

DATE OF FUNERAL:   Thursday, September 27, 2012

TIME OF FUNERAL:    10:30 AM

PLACE OF FUNERAL:   All Saints Catholic Church All Saints Catholic Church 2443 Mount Vernon Road,  Dunwoody, GA 30338 770-393-3255

PLACE OF BURIAL:    GA National Cemetery- Private

DONATIONS:   All Saints Catholic Church St. Vincent DePaul Society 2443 Mt. Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338

Shirley Schirmer, wife of PNA/WA Capt. David Schirmer

~ IN MEMORY ~

Shirley Jones Schirmer, widow of PNA/WA pilot Dave Schirmer

7/22/1925 ~ 9/3/2012

 

Notification of the passing of Shirley Jones Schirmer, widow of Woodley/PNA/WA pilot Capt. David Schirmer.  Shirley was 87 years of age at the time of her passing.  Captain David W. Schirmer, born February 7, 1918, passed away May 26, 2005, also at the age of 87.

To view/sign the online guestbook for Shirley please visit http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/seattletimes/guestbook.aspx?n=shirley-schirmer&pid=160095805&cid=full 

Both obituaries appear below as well.  Shirley most recently had resided at 

1845 Sakai Village Loop , Bainbridge Island  WA 98110-1883.

  

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=Shirley-Schirmer&pid=160095805#fbLoggedOut   

 

Shirley Jones Schirmer

 

Bainbridge Island, Washington. Beloved wife, mother, aunt, sister, and grandmother, Shirley Schirmer died peacefully in her home on Labor Day concluding a life of music, travel, family, and friendships. Her loving husband David W. Schirmer preceded Shirley in death. She is survived by her four children; Carol, David, Michael (Lisa), and Richard (Julie). She leaves behind six grandchildren: Andrew, Nathan, Daniel, Nicholas, Alex, and Jonathan.

 

Born in San Francisco, Shirley developed a keen interest in the piano at an early age. She played in many recitals and competitions for scholarships. In her teen years, Shirley won a highly coveted scholarship to study with Maxim Schapiro in San Francisco, becoming a virtuoso performer in the classical music genre. During the war, Shirley tested aviation fuel at the Standard Oil Refinery in Richmond, CA. She also performed at local dance halls and cabarets throughout the Bay Area. After the war, Shirley travelled to Alaska to visit her Uncle "Jonesy" who owned the Aurora Lodge in Fairbanks. It was there, while playing piano that Shirley met her husband Dave, a pilot for Woodley Airways. They married in Anchorage May 13, 1951. Shirley performed music on two radio programs and with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra while living in Alaska. After moving to Seattle in 1953, Shirley worked at raising four young children, gourmet cooking, decorating the family home, and entertaining family and friends with large gatherings especially during 4th of July and Christmas celebrations. Shirley maintained her piano playing talent coming out of retirement for a special performance with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra in November, 1960. The highly promoted event was a smash success with many national and international dignitaries in attendance. When husband Dave retired from Western Airlines in 1978, the couple moved from Mercer Island to Bainbridge Island. They joined Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church and remained steadfast members for the rest of their lives. Shirley remained very active to the end. She was a member of the Bainbridge Island Republican Women, she travelled, played music, read many books, spent time with family, friends, and church activities. Following the passing of her husband in 2005, her interest and devotion to her children and grandchildren was at the center of her life along with her Mariner's church group, and always, the music.

 

A memorial service will be held at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church Saturday, September 29th at 11:00 a.m.

 

Sign Shirley's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com

.Published in The Seattle Times from September 24 to September 26, 2012.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAVID SCHIRMER: Newspaper Obituary 

Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA) - Friday, June 3, 2005

 

DAVID W. SCHIRMER

Feb. 7, 1918 ~ May 26, 2005

 

David W. Schirmer, 87, of Bainbridge Island died May 26 on Bainbridge Island.

 

He was born in El Dorado, Kan., to Herman and Mary (Brown) Schirmer. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he served in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot and returned home in 1944.

 

He earned a degree from the University of Washington and worked for Pacific Northern Airlines. After a distinguished career, he retired in 1978 as a DC-10 captain with Western Airlines.

 

On May 13, 1951, he married Shirley Jones in Anchorage, Alaska. Mr. Schirmer was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed boating and family activities.

 

Surviving are his wife of 54 years; a daughter, Carol; three sons, David, Michael and his wife, Lisa, Richard and his wife, Julie; five grandsons, Andrew, Nathan, Daniel, Nicholas, Alex and Jonathan; and brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Lois, Bill and Ellen and Donald and Harriet.

 

Memorial service: 3 p.m. Tuesday at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge Island, where Mr. Schirmer was an elder for many years. Arrangements: Kass Funeral Home.

NWA missing pilot Michael A. Bratlie

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA missing retired pilot Michael A. Bratlie – Navy veteran, gifted musician

July 6, 1944 ~ June 8, 2012

  

 Still no word  ...  NWA retired pilot Michael Arthur Bratlie’s plane went missing since June 8, 2012.  Mike Bratlie of Lakeville MN left a South St. Paul airport in his twin-engine Piper PA-31 Navajo on June 8th bound for Duluth.  Mike was a very experienced pilot, a Navy veteran with thousands of hours of flying time.....after weeks of extensive searching, still his plane has not been located.

Mike hired on with Northwest 11-15-1985.  A gifted musician and composer, Mike was very involved with various church events and music groups after he retired from the airlines.  A good friend of Mike’s has posted this video tribute   http://vimeo.com/44846329  Friends and relatives are still hoping for any sign of Mike and his plane.  Mike's wife Diana has posted a plea for anyone with information to please contact authorities.

 

This information and more will be posted on our memorial blog site at  http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/ 

Thank you,
~ Carol Faulkner, PCN death notice communicator
death@pilotcommunication.nethttp://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoping for sign of missing pilot   (posted August 11, 2012)
Eight weeks ago, my husband, Mike Bratlie, went missing in a twin-engine plane somewhere around Silver Bay. Mike, a Navy pilot, an Alaskan bush pilot and retired NWA captain, was also an avid outdoorsman, musician and artist.
Unfortunately, heroic efforts by the Civil Air Patrol, the Air Force and local law enforcement produced no trace of him or the plane.
Our family continues to hope that he is somewhere in the remote area around Two Harbors or Silver Bay or north. We miss him terribly.
With that in mind, I would like to ask anyone who is hiking, ATVing, fishing or just enjoying the beautiful Northwoods to be aware that Mike is still missing and please keep an eye out for any sign of him or the plane.
Thank you so much to all the people and organizations who aided in the search. Your kindness and generosity means more than I can say. And, thank you to all who are still praying for our family.
Diana Bratlie
Lakeville, MN

 

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/06/11/accident/missing-pilot/ 

 

Search continues for missing plane, pilot

by Matt Sepic, Minnesota Public Radio

June 11, 2012

 

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Civil Air Patrol crews are continuing to search the Arrowhead region of northeastern Minnesota for a twin-engine plane that went missing Friday.

 

The pilot, Michael Bratlie, 67, of Lakeville took off alone from the South St. Paul airport and had planned to fly his twin-engine Piper PA-31 Navajo to Duluth and back. Bratlie is a a retired Northwest Airlines pilot.

 

Civil Air Patrol Capt. George Supan said crews have not picked up the plane's radio distress beacon, but radar and cell phone signals helped establish a starting point for the search.

 

"We don't know the exact location he was at, but we take the tower that was receiving the signal from the cell phone, and we say OK, that's at a specific point, longitude and latitude," Supan said. "And we go from there in laying out our search pattern."

 

Supan says they're concentrating the search on land, though crews looked in Lake Superior over the weekend.

 

Search crews are flying over a wide area of the Arrowhead north of Silver Bay. Supan said they are listening for Bratlie's radio distress beacon while they look for his plane.

 

"Our aircraft have the radios in there tuned to that frequency, are constantly listening for that, but then doing the physical search looking down at the ground," Supan said.

 

He says anyone in the Arrowhead region who heard unusual aircraft sounds Friday afternoon or evening should contact authorities.

 

 

 

http://www.valleynewslive.com/story/18866228/search-suspended-for-missing-pilot

 

Search Suspended For Missing Pilot

Posted: Jun 24, 2012 9:16 AM MST

Updated: Jul 15, 2012 9:16 AM MST

 

The Air Force and Civil Air Patrol are suspending the search for a Twin Cities pilot and his plane that went missing two weeks ago over northeastern Minnesota.

 

Mike Bratlie of Lakeville left a South St. Paul airport in his Piper PA-31 Navajo on June 8th bound for Duluth. He made his last radar contact in the Silver Bay area, and since then search crews on the ground, from the air and on Lake Superior looked in vain for evidence of a crash.

 

Civil Air Patrol spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hertel (HUR'-tuhl), says Saturday the search is ending after 13 days without success. He says searchers covered over 2,000 square miles and that likely crash areas were searched multiple times.

 

Anyone who thinks they found the plane is advised to call 911.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.rosevillebigband.org/personnel/MikeB.htm 

Role in Roseville Big Band:	Lead trombone; Mike has also written several arrangements and compositions for the band.
Member since:	April, 1996
Occupation:	Retired airline pilot

Mike also performs with the Nova Jazz Band and the Ridges Prince of Peace Big Band and leads the Indian Head Council Boy Scout Jazz Band. At St. Michael's in Bloomington, he directs the orchestra and performs with the Good News Big Band and the brass ensemble. He led the orchestra in his arrangement of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" in the summer of 2001.
His arrangements have been performed by the Diamond Valley Big Band in Melbourne, Australia, and several Twin Cities ensembles, including the Good News Big Band and the Nova Jazz Band. The Minneapolis Trombone Choir and Apple Valley High School jazz band (with extra trombonists) have performed Mike's composition, "Gopher Baroque".
Mike is the leader of and principal arranger for the septet Jazz Etc., which includes trumpet, trombone, tenor sax, guitar, bass, drums, and vocalist.
After retiring in 2006, Mike joined the Commemorative Air Force, whose hangar dances the Roseville Big Band has performed for since the late 1970's. In 2006, Mike created a swing medley of the United States military service songs, to premiere at the spring hangar dance.
In addition to the service song medley, Mike's arrangements include "Silver's Serenade", "'Round Midnight," "Grace Yourself," "Jordu," "Wave," and an arrangement of "I'll Remember April" based on Tom Padveen's trombone choir version. His compositions for the band include "Teaser" and "Casa del Sol."
Mike latest arrangement for the Roseville Big Band is a vocal quartet version of "G. I. Jive," which he created for the Rosetones to sing with the band. It received its premiere performance at the Spring 2007 Commemorative Air Force dance.

 

DL Capt. Charlie Yates, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. Charles ‘Charlie’ Yates, Lt. Col, USAF (Ret.) & Viet Nam veteran

July 14, 1949 ~ September 22, 2012

 

Word has been received of the tragic fatal accident involving retired DL Captain Charlie Yates.  Born/raised in Texas, Charles Dwight Yates was 63 years of age at the time of his death Saturday afternoon September 22nd.  Charlie was a decorated and experienced pilot who had a 20-year career in the USAF before hiring on with Delta 04-30-1991.  Charlie was an author.  His book Mount Up With Wings As Eagles  photographically chronicles his experiences flying the F-15 Eagle during the Cold War.  Charlie was active with his church and community always ready to lend a hand.  Charlie was a flight instructor and that’s what he was doing on Saturday when their plane crashed near Roanoke TX. 

 

Captain Yates is survived by his wife Diane Coggins Yates.  Arrangements are still pending.  That information will be posted when it becomes known.  Personal condolences may be sent to the Yates family at 2613 Kimberly Drive,  Grapevine TX 76051-2625   ...  (817) 481-6882

Thank you,

~ Carol

 

 

========================================

~ He had been scheduled to teach at an assisted living facility on Sunday. His topic: "Heaven."

 

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Family-speaking-out-about-pilot-who-died-in-Roanoke-crash-170911651.html 

 

Family speaking out about pilot who died in Roanoke crash

Posted on September 23, 2012 at 6:51 PM

Small plane crashes near Roanoke; two dead

 

GRAPEVINE TX — The family of a flight instructor who was one of two men killed in a plane crash near Roanoke is speaking out abut Saturday's tragedy.

 

Charlie Yates and Chris Pratt were killed when their plane went down shortly after taking off from Northwest Regional Airport.

 

Yates, 63, was a decorated and experienced pilot who had a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force — including duty in the Vietnam conflict — and a second career as a Delta Air Lines captain.

 

More recently, he served as a flight instructor, and that's what he was doing on Saturday in Pratt's Piper Arrow single-engine aircraft.

 

At the family's Grapevine home, Diane Yates said her husband had been working with Pratt for the past week or so. Yates told her that Pratt had the fundamentals down and knew what he was doing.

 

Christopher Pratt's family told News 8 that he had been brushing up on his piloting skills and that he was a licensed pilot. He leaves a wife and two young daughters.

 

More than one person News 8 spoke two referred to Yates as a "hero."

 

Yates was said to have had three passions in life: His family; flying; and studying Scripture.

 

He had been scheduled to teach at an assisted living facility on Sunday. His topic: "Heaven."

 

The Yates home on Sunday was not filled with grief, but rather with laughter and smiles — people telling stories about the man who was also an adventurous prankster.

 

In addition to his wife, Yates leaves an adult son, a daughter, and seven grandchildren.

 

======================================

Pilots killed

Charles Yates and Chris Pratt were killed Saturday when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Northwest Regional Airport.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/22/4280485/small-plane-crash-in-roanoke-claims.html 

Two die in Roanoke small plane crash, pilot and flying instructor

Posted Saturday, Sep. 22, 2012

 

ROANOKE - A pilot and a flying instructor were killed after an airplane crashed in a heavily wooded field in southern Denton County on Saturday afternoon.

The instructor, 63-year-old Charles Yates of Grapevine, was taken by helicopter ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth with serious injuries and then died less than two hours later, authorities said.

Christopher Pratt, 41, a licensed commercial pilot from Argyle, was pronounced dead about 1:30 p.m., according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. Pratt, the plane's owner, reportedly was training to become a flying instructor himself.

His Piper Cherokee PA-28 R180 attempted a take off heading south but quickly lost attitude and pancaked into a wooded area in Northlake shortly before 1:20 p.m., about a half mile from the runway of Northwest Regional Airport, said Lonny Haschel, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman.

The wings of the aircraft broke off and ended up in trees while the fuselage crashed into the ground, Haschel said.

Pratt was killed on impact, Haschel said.

 

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/22/4280485/small-plane-crash-in-roanoke-claims.html#storylink=cpy

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Bruce Crimin" <bcrimin@earthlink.net>
Date: September 23, 2012

I have just been notified that Retired Delta Pilot, Charles "Charley" Yates, was killed in a private airplane crash yesterday in the Grapevine, Texas area.  I will provide more details later. 

Bruce Crimin

Retired Delta Pilot

801-913-2999

---

From: Brian Muirhead <brianmuirhead@ymail.com>
Date: September 24, 2012

Charlie Yates, a retired Delta pilot, was killed in a small plane crash in Denton County,TX, Saturday, September 22, 2012. He was an authentic Christian man and will be greatly missed. Arrangements are pending.
Brian Muirhead

---

Book:     Mount Up With Wings As Eagles

By Charlie Yates, Lt. Col, USAF (Ret.)

 

About the book:  Mount Up With Wings As Eagles photographically chronicles the author's experiences flying the F-15 Eagle during the Cold War. View breath taking photos of all aspects of the Eagle and its air superiority mission.

About the author:  I was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program at Texas Tech University and entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, Texas in 1971. My first assignment was as a Forward Air Controller flying the OV-10 Bronco in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. I returned to Reese AFB in 1973 as a T-38 instructor and received an F-15 assignment to Holloman AFB, New Mexico in 1978.

 

I was extremely fortunate to be able to fly the Eagle for eleven years; four years at Holloman AFB, four years at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and three years at Luke AFB, Arizona. Those assignments encompassed flying with six different squadrons and included over 2200 hours of flying time, nine Red Flags, countless other exercises and deployments, an ocean crossing to Lahr AB, Germany, and many hours studying and refining tactics in air superiority.

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

 http://www.biplaneforum.com/photo/lsa---tommy-and-39s-toot-5485.html 

 

Charlie Yates is preparing to take Tommy's Toot up so he can check the stall speed. The author has flown this test in the past and verified a stall speed of 46 MPH. Tommy would like another experienced pilot (Charlie flew OV-10's in Viet Nam and F-15's for most of the remainder of his career in the USAF. After the USAF he flew for the airlines. After retiring from both USAF and airlines, he now works as Chief Flight Instructor for MarcAir where he teaches everything including aerobatics.)

Cynthia Cole, wife of DL Capt. Charlie Cole

~ IN MEMORY ~

Cynthia Charlton Cole, wife of DFW Charlie Cole

July 19, 1943 ~ September 16, 2012

 

Word has been received of the passing of Cynthia Charlton Cole, wife of retired DFW pilot Charlie Cole.  Cynthia was 69 years of age at the time of her passing.  Visitation and memorial services will be held tomorrow September 20th in Denton TX.  Graveside services will be held Friday, September 21st.

 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.deberryfuneraldirectors.com/fh/home/home.cfm?fh_id=13043   or 

http://www.dentonrc.com/obituaries-headlines/20120918-cynthia-charlton-cole.ece 

 

Survived by her husband Capt. Charles M. ‘Charlie’ Cole Jr., personal condolences may be sent to their home at  

428 Magnolia St.,  Denton  TX 76201-890  ...  (940) 387-4918

 

http://www.dentonrc.com/obituaries-headlines/20120918-cynthia-charlton-cole.ece  

Published: 18 September 2012 06:33 AM

 

Cynthia Charlton Cole 

 

Cynthia Charlton Cole, 69, passed away on September 16, 2012 in Denton, Texas. She was born July 19, 1943 in Del Rio, Texas to the late Marvin and Mary Margaret Charlton. Cynthia graduated from Del Rio High School in 1961 and received a BS in Education at Southwest Texas State University. Shortly after graduation in 1964, she married Charles Mason Cole, Jr. whom she met while he was a pilot in the Air Force at Laughlin Air Force Base. Married for 48 years, Cynthia and Charlie raised three children, Alan, Darren, and David in Denton, Texas.

 

Cynthia was a third grade teacher for several years before leaving education to focus on raising her three boys. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Charles M. Cole; and three sons and their families. Her sons and their spouses include: Alan and Camille Cole of Whitehouse, Texas, Darren Cole of Bedford, Texas, and David and Katherine Cole of Providence, Texas. She has five grandchildren, Mason and Clayton Cole of Whitehouse, Texas, Charlie Cole of Providence, Texas, and Katelynn and Darren Cole, Jr. of Bedford, Texas. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis Charlton of Eagle Pass, Texas and her sister, Catherine Cogburn of Austin, Texas.

 

Cynthia was passionate about her family, her children and especially her grandchildren. She was also passionate about animals and volunteered hours of her time to rescue and foster animals in need of homes. When she was physically unable to volunteer she contributed donations that bettered the lives of thousands of animals.

 

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denton.

 

There will be a visitation at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. Following the visitation, there will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. There will be a graveside service at Bryan City Cemetery in Bryan, Texas at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012.

 

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Denton Humane Society, P.O. Box 1972, Denton, TX 76202, or to the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation online at http://www.dentonasf.com/donations 

 

 

From: Steve Deck   Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 1:17 PM  

To: pilotcommunicationnet

  

Just wanted to let you know the Ret. DAL DFW CP, Charlie Cole's wife passed
away this week and the service is sept. 20.  ..........check the Denton Record Chronicle for details.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve Deck
DMG Financial Services
Life Settlement Investment Advisor
www.SteveDeck.com
940-367-0025 cell
940-382-4110 office

NWA/DL Dispatcher David R. Abbott

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA/DL Dispatcher David R. Abbott

 

.....notification of the passing of North Central/Republic/NWA/DL dispatcher David Russell Abbott, age 59.

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://carmichaelfuneralhomes.com/nrtre/carmichael/carmichael.html  or 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?n=David-Abbott&pid=159894801#fbLoggedOut 

 

David is survived by his wife Linda.  To the best of my knowledge personal condolences may be sent to

3621 Vinings Slope SE Unit 1439 , Atlanta  GA 30339-4169

 

David R. Abbott

January 20, 1953 ~ September 12, 2012

 

Abbott, David R. of Atlanta, GA/Bloomington, MN. Born January 20, 1953 in Anchorage, Alaska. Graduate of St. Thomas Academy and Lewis University. Flight Dispatcher for North Central, Republic, Northwest, and Delta Airlines for 37 years. Survived by wife, Linda; mother, Lois; sons, Kevin (Megan) & Daniel; step-daughters, Sandi and Gina; brothers, Dan (Alex) and Mike (Becky); grandson, Jack; and many nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by father, Don. Memorial service in Atlanta, Sept. 14, 2012. Funeral Service, St. Peters Catholic Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave. So., Richfield, MN, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 at 10:30. Irish wake at David Fongs Restaurant, Bloomington Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Casual).

 

Published in Star Tribune on September 15, 2012 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=david-russell-abbott&pid=159881978&fhid=3466#fbLoggedOut 

 

David Russell Abbott 

 

Obituary Listing

 

David Russell Abbott, 59, died Wednesday. Memorial service, 4 p.m. today, Carmichael Funeral Home, Smyrna. .Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on September 14, 2012.

NC/Rep./NWA Capt. Jerome 'Jerry' Neumann

~ IN MEMORY ~

NC/Republic/NWA Jerome “Jerry” Bernard Neumann

December 25, 1929 ~ August 14, 2012

 

 

Notification of the passing of North Central/Republic/NWA pilot Captain Jerome “Jerry” B. Neumann, age 82.

 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit http://postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1505536  You may also visit the funeral home website at http://www.schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com/  Services were held August 22nd in Plainview MN.  Captain Neumann is survived by his wife Mary.  To the best of my knowledge personal condolences may be sent to their residence at 21759 Omeara Terrace Apt 111 , Ashburn  VA 20147-6749  or c/o of daughter Patricia at PO Box , Ashburn VA 20146-1063.

 

 

Obituary:

 

Jerome “Jerry” Bernard Neumann, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at his home in Ashburn, Va.

 

Jerry was born in Adams, Wis., Dec. 25, 1929, to Ben and Grace (Toschner) Neumann. He graduated from Sparta High School and attended college in La Crosse. His life was full of challenges, but always met with a positive attitude and ready to make a change, such as 15 moves to benefit his family. He had a paper route at 12 years old, worked as a projectionist at the local movie theater at age 16, while learning to fly out of a book. He learned to be an aerial acrobatic pilot with a WacoYMF5 and enjoyed giving rides. He was a radio announcer for WCOW, a local radio station, and was a railroad telegrapher for the Chicago NorthWestern Railroad for 9.5 years.

 

Jerry married Mary Walch of Plainview, on Nov. 21, 1957, at the St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview. On April 22, 1957, he was hired by North Central Airlines, later Republic Airlines and then Northwest Airlines. He was in command of DC3’s, Convair 440, Convair 580, DC9 and Boeing 727 & 757. He retired from Northwest Airlines Jan. 5, 1990.

 

Jerry and Mary owned several farms over the years. At the first farm in Grayslake, Ill., the Angus operation was started in 1969. He moved to Stone Arc Farm in Monroe, Wis. His family showed Angus cattle nationally and had a National champion in the Bred and Owned Division. Organic farming was started and continued to the smaller farm in Redmond, Wash. There, Jerry enjoyed gardening and retirement.

 

Jerry was active in the Catholic parishes as an adult altar server, lector, and extra ordinary minister. Due to health challenges, he and his wife, Mary, in October 2011, moved to Ashburn, Va., with daughter, Patty, son-in-law, Dave and grandson, David II who cared for Jerry until he passed away. Jerry was a member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Potomac Falls, Va.

 

He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Bernard (Tracey) of Elgin Ill., and Michael (Laurie) of Wheaton, Ill.; daughters, Pamela (Robert) Jacobus of Wenatchee, Wash., and Patricia (David) Falsetto of Ashburn, Va.; 22 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas and parents, Ben and Grace Neumann.

 

The funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at the St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview, with Father William Becker officiating. Burial is at the St. Joachim’s Catholic Cemetery.

 

The visitation will be held Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview, and one hour prior to the service at the church Wednesday. A rosary will be recited at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

 

The Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview is in charge of the arrangements. www.schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com 

Sean McGirl, son of DL Capt. Pat McGirl and DL F/A Ruth McGirl

~ IN MEMORY ~

Mr. Timothy "Sean" McGirl

December 6, 1968 - September 7, 2012  

 

 

Word has been received of the untimely passing of Sean McGirl, son of retired DL Capt. Patrick ‘Pat’ McGirl and former DL F/A Ruth McGirl.   Timothy ‘Sean’ was just 43 years of age at the time of his passing.  Sean’s death was due to coronary artery disease.  Visitation and services will be held Wednesday morning, September 12th, in New Orleans LA.

 

To view/sign the online guestbook and to view the family photo gallery, please visit the funeral home website at http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/  

 

Personal condolences may be sent to the McGirl family at   

4212 Ferran Drive , Metairie  LA 70002-3128   .....   (504) 885-3564

 

Thank you,

~ Carol

 

Timothy "Sean" McGirl passed away on Friday, September 7, 2012, due to coronary artery disease. A native of New Orleans and a resident of Metairie, LA. Son of Ruth W. McGirl of Metairie, LA and Patrick McGirl of Las Vegas, NV. Brother of Tara M. Pike and Scott P. McGirl and the late Christopher Shannon McGirl. Brother in Law of Alvin G. Pike, IV. Also survived by nieces; Alexis and Cameron Pike, stepmother; Patricia McGirl, step brother; Sonny Tipton and step sister; Patsy McGirl.

An athlete all his life, he went on to Junior Olympics in diving and 1st place State High School Champion. A member of Green Acres Country Club, he also set records in Diving and Swimming. After graduating from Holy Cross in 1987, he attended LSU majoring in Psychology. His love of people encouraged him to take up bartending at various places like Bennigan's, Outback, and Hoolihan's. He left the New Orleans area to work in Las Vegas for Wolfgang Puck for a couple of years. Returning to the New Orleans area he then worked at House of Blues and Commanders. He never met a stranger and was loved by all due to his optimism and ready wit.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. Visitation on Wednesday from 9:00 am until service time. To view and sign the guest book please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com

 

 

SERVICES

Visitation:  Wednesday, September 12 , from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM      

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70124 

 

Funeral Mass:  Wednesday, September 12 , at 11:00 AM      

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70124

WA/DL Capt. Fairley R. Gooch II

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Fairley Ray Gooch II

    Fairley Ray Gooch

April 17th, 1945 - September 6th, 2012

Obituary:

GOOCH, Fairley Ray, 67 years old, of Roswell, GA, died suddenly on September 6, 2012. A beloved husband and father, Mr. Gooch is survived by his wife, Barbara Finigan Gooch, daughter, Elizabeth Gooch and her partner, Lisa Fierman, and son, Thomas Gooch and his wife, Liu Yue, and granddaughter, Maia, all of Atlanta. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Gooch, and brother, William Gooch, both of Denver, Colorado, and five nieces and nephews. His sister, Glenda Ross, died earlier this year.

Fairley attended North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, GA. An avid pilot, he flew for Western Airlines and retired as a captain from Delta Airlines. Mr. Gooch served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star. He attended Emory at Oxford and graduated from Georgia State University in 1972.

A memorial service will be held at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m., with visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. An interment service will follow on Thursday, September 13th at 11:00 a.m., at Salem #1, Sugar Hill Church, located on Highway 60 at Skeenah Gap Road, Fannin County, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Fairley Ray Gooch II

April 17th, 1945 ~ September 6th, 2012

     

Word has been received that WA/DL pilot Capt. Fairley Gooch died Thursday, September 6th when his Lancair IV light aircraft (N1126V) crashed while attempting to land at Winnsboro Municipal Airport in LA.  I have not seen a complete obituary but I believe Captain Gooch was originally from Georgia.  He attended GSU, Emory at Oxford, and Gordon Military High School, Barnesville GA the class of 1963.  I believe he was a Viet Nam veteran and received a Bronze Star Medal in 1969.  Captain Gooch hired on with Western 04-12-1976 and retired with Delta, based ATL. 

Visitation and services will be held Wednesday evening, September 12, 2012, Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell GA 30075 http://www.northsidechapel.com/ 

 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.northsidechapel.com/

 

http://www.northsidechapel.com/     770-645-1414  

Email: info@northsidechapel.com

Name:  Fairley Ray Gooch

April 17th, 1945 - September 6th, 2012

Cemetery:

Sugar Hill Baptist Church Old Cemetery , Dahlonega  GA

Visitations: 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory

Services:  7:00PM at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 

Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory

12050 Crabapple Road

Roswell GA 30075

Phone: 770-645-1414

Email: info@northsidechapel.com

---

http://www.examiner.com/article/retired-delta-pilot-dies-winnsboro-la-crash-of-kit-built-lancair-iv-plane 

Retired Delta pilot dies in Winnsboro, La. crash of kit-built Lancair IV plane

Fatal Aircraft AccidentsSeptember 8, 2012

A 67-year-old retired Delta Air Lines pilot, Fairley Ray Gooch of Roswell, Ga., died on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. when his experimental kit-built Lancair IV light aircraft, tail number N1126V, crashed while attempting to land at Winnsboro Municipal Airport in La., as reported by the Aviation Safety Network, The News-Star, KIVE-TV, and other media sources.

The airport, FAA designation F89, is located 1 mile east of Winnsboro, La. in Franklin Parish, a small community with a population of 4,910 people. It has a single 3,000-foot asphalt paved runway. There are 60-foot high trees located 1,200-feet from the runway, and 250-feet to the left of centerline.

Average airport operations are 74 flights per day. There are 20 planes based at the facility, including 1 jet, 1 multi-engine aircraft, and 3 ultralight planes.

The 4-seat, low wing home-built aircraft came to rest in a grassy field near the runway. It had apparently impacted nose first, breaking off the engine and destroying most of the cockpit, as well as fracturing the fuselage near the tail of the plane.

According to Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb, the pilot died at the scene from blunt force trauma. There was no fire following the impact. Weather at the time of the accident was sunny and clear, with light winds under 5 miles an hour. A photo of a wind sock at the airport showed it hanging limp and undisturbed.

The pilot had reportedly been running tests on the aircraft for several days prior to the accident. The Lancair IV, which Mr. Gooch built himself from a kit costing from $400,000 to $500,000, is powered by a 350 horsepower twin-turbocharged Continental TSIO-550 engine. The plane uses composite materials and has retractable landing gear. The kits are manufactured by Lancair International, Inc. in Redmond, Oregon.

The high performance aircraft has a cruising speed of 330 miles an hour, a stall speed of 75 miles an hour, a range of 1,550 miles, and a rate of climb of 1,500 feet per minute.

There are 48 separate accidents of the aircraft listed in the Aviation Safety Network database from May 25, 1995 to the present, 32 of which involved fatalities.

Both the FAA and the NTSB are investigating the fatal aviation crash.

We offer our sincere condolences to all those who were impacted by this tragedy.

NEA/DL Capt. Ralph Aubrey Bedley

~ IN MEMORY ~

NEA/DL Capt. Ralph Aubrey Bedley

November 2, 1928 ~ August 15, 2012

Word has been received of the passing of NEA/DL pilot and Delta Pioneer member Captain Ralph Bedley, age 83.  Captain Bedley hired on with Northeast 11-01-1957 and retired with Delta with 35+ years of service, based ATL.  He was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor Mae Bedley in March of 2010.

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com/fh/home/home.cfm?fh_id=12169 

 Ralph Aubrey Bedley, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the age of 83 at his residence in Greensboro, GA surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Winchester, Massachusetts on November 2, 1928, the son of the late Freeman and Catherine D (Faulkner) Bedley. He graduated from Woburn High School in Woburn, Massachusetts and married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Mae Goding, sixty-four years ago and had six children. In Reading and Westboro, Massachusetts, he was the owner of Greenhouse Plantations specializing in growing sweet peas and carnations. In 1973 the family moved from Reading, Massachusetts to Georgia with the Delta/Northeast merger living in Fayetteville, Griffin and retiring to Lake Oconee in 1999. Ralph was a pilot and president of the Pilots Association for Northeast/Delta Airlines. For a number of years, he owned and operated Yule Christmas Tree Farm in Griffin, Georgia, where he was an active member of the Georgia Christmas Tree Association. After retiring to Lake Oconee, he became a volunteer for the Oconee Regional Humane Society and dedicated many hours assisting with fund raising events. He is of the Methodist Faith. He loved traveling, gardening, reading and spending time with his family and friends.

Ralph Bedley is survived by two daughters, Nancy Bedley Tkaczuk of Roswell, GA and Donna Richards and husband Anthony of Brooks, GA; three sons, Jack Bedley and wife Jacqueline of Fayetteville, GA, Thomas Bedley and wife Laura of Fayetteville, GA and Richard Bedley of Eatonton, GA; daughter-in-law, Ginny Bedley Cox of Buckhead, GA; a sister, Sally Bedley Harvey of Athol, MA; fifteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and long time friend, Pauline Dion of Oxford, GA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Mae Bedley; son, Philip Scott Bedley of Buckhead, GA; and a sister, Janet Bedley Allen of Reading, MA.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at Brooks Memorial Cemetery, Price Road, Brooks, GA 30205 with Rev. Buddy Waldron officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McCommons Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605-3007, the National Stroke Association, 9707 E Easter Lane, Ste B, Centennial, CO 80112 or the Oconee Regional Humane Society, 6350 Lake Oconee Parkway, Ste 102, PMB 178, Greensboro, GA 30642. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com  to sign the online guest register.

 

       =======================

Eleanor Mae Goding Bedley Sept. 25, 1930--March 21, 2010

Eleanor Mae Goding Bedley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, died on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at the age of 79 at her residence in Greensboro surrounded by loved ones. She was born in South Portland, Maine, on Sept. 25, 1930, the daughter of the late Zerfea and Wilfred Goding. She graduated from Woburn High School in Woburn, Mass., and married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Aubrey Bedley, 62 years ago and had six children. In Reading and Westboro, Mass., she was the owner of Greenhouse Plantations specializing in growing sweet peas and carnations. In 1973 the family moved from Reading, Mass., to Georgia with the Delta/Northeast merger, living in Fayetteville, Griffin and retiring to Lake Oconee in 1999. For a number of years, she and her husband owned and operated Yule Tree Christmas Farm in Griffin, Ga., where she was an active member of the Georgia Christmas Tree Association. After retiring to Lake Oconee, she became a volunteer for the Lake Oconee Humane Society and dedicated many hours assisting with fund-raising events. She was of the Methodist faith. She loved traveling, boating, reading and spending time with her family. In addition to her husband, Ralph Bedley of Greensboro, Ga., Eleanor is survived by two daughters, Nancy Bedley Tkaczuk of Roswell, Ga., and Donna Richards and husband Anthony of Brooks, Ga.; three sons, Jack Bedley of Fayetteville, Ga., Thomas Bedley and wife Laura of Fayetteville, Ga., and Richard Bedley of Eatonton, Ga.; a brother, Gilbert Goding and wife Joan of Manchester, N.H.; sister-in-law, Sally Harvey of Athol, Mass.; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Philip Scott Bedley of Buckhead, Ga., sister, Nancy Goding; and brother, Wilfred Goding, both of Woburn, Mass. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at Brooks Memorial Cemetery in Brooks, Ga. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 25, 2010, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCommons Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. 706-453-2626. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.