 - Terrance Ralph Vinton, age 46 of Mullen, passed away on Friday, August 29, 2014, on his ranch.
Terry was born on 27 Aug 1968 in North Platte, NE, to Ralph Patrick and Maryann (Manning) Vinton. He graduated from Thomas Moore Prep Marian High School in Hayes, KS. After high school, he attended UNL and then Chadron State, where he entered the Navy through the NAVCAD program. He graduated from AOCS in Pensacola, FL, and continued his flight training in Milton, FL, and Corpus Christi, TX. Terry received his Naval Officer Commission and wings in September of 1991. He was then stationed at NAS Norfolk, Norfolk, VA, where he flew the E-2C Hawkeye off carriers with squadrons VAW-120, VAW-122, and VAW-123. He graduated from Embry-Riddle University with a degree in professional aeronautics in 1998. He married Denise Mitchell on 23 Sep 1991 in Corpus Christi, TX. The couple resided in Virginia Beach, VA, and had four children. In 1998, his family moved back to Marsland, NE, until he finished his last tour with VAW-124 on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) and joined them the following year. In 2000, he was hired by Northwest Airlines and moved to Mullen, NE, to both fly for the airline and begin ranching. He transferred to United Airlines in January of 2001 and was furloughed in October of 2001. He continued ranching and joined the Navy Reserves. The Navy Reserves gave him many opportunities to work in numerous places around the world, including London, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius, and Iraq in 2009-2010. While in Iraq, he worked in the US Embassy in education and agriculture. Terry’s final military position was Lieutenant Commander serving as a War Plans Reviewer in JFCC Global Strike at US Strategic Command. Terry was a loving husband to one, a dutiful and caring father to four, the youngest of eleven brothers, and an honest friend to many. He lived solely for his family, placing them at the center of his life. He had always thought ahead in regards to the family ranch. Terry was an incredible person, part of an elite caste of exceptional people, full of optimism, and really knew how to revel in each day to the fullest. He is loved, and he will be missed. Terry is survived by his wife Denise of Mullen; four children, Jeremy, Joshua, Bethany and Joseph Vinton of Mullen; seven brothers and two sisters, Dan (Mona) Vinton of Whitman, Maureen (Jim) Skavdahl of Marsland, NE, Ralph Patrick Vinton of Whitman, Jim Vinton of North Platte, George (Lori) Vinton of North Platte, Brian (Joyce) Vinton of Copperton, UT, Michael Paul (Stacey) Vinton of Whitman, Mary Ann (John Noble) Vinton of Omaha, and Timothy Ralph (Lori) Vinton of Whitman; sister-in-laws Miriam Vinton of Parker, CO, and Angie (Randy) Pierce of Jenison, MI; brother-in-law Ryan (Lisa) Mitchell of Norfolk, NE; in-laws Joyce and Pat Mitchell of Hastings, NE; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John Peter “Pete” Vinton, and his nephew, Jacob Paul Vinton. (Sourced from: Adams Swanson Funeral Home and other references)
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 Capt. Daniel Patrick Whalen (U.S. Navy Retired) passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 81 after a long and courageous battle with dementia. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Dan was the youngest child of James Joseph and Dorothy Warner Whalen. He was predeceased by his parents; stepmother Alice; brothers Patrick (infant) and James Warner; and sister Mary Josephine. He graduated from Campion High School in Prairie du Chene, Wisconsin, and graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore where he met his wife Maureen Hanlon. After graduating in 1966, Dan attended AOCS in Pensacola, FL. Dan and Maureen were married there in 1967, the same year he was commissioned as a naval officer - a calling he would proudly fulfill for the next 27 years. A decorated Naval Aviator, Dan flew under the call sign “Pops,” a nickname he earned from his squadron thanks to his five children at home. Dan flew in the VAW community piloting both E-1B Tracers and his beloved E-2C Hawkeye. His service included deployments aboard the USS Shangri-La, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Enterprise, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and, his favorite, the USS John F. Kennedy. Dan concluded his career with a final tour at the Pentagon, retiring in August 1993. After a stroke in 1999, Dan’s post service career was cut short, and in 2000 he and Maureen moved to Leesburg, Virginia, to be near their eldest son and his growing family. Dan was a devout Catholic and longtime member of the church choir. He was also an active member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division, and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #12791. He is survived by wife of 58 years, Maureen (née Hanlon), sons James (Carrie), John (Courtney), and Daniel (Molly), daughters Julie Whalen, and Laura Alloway (Christopher). He is also survived by grandchildren: Bridget, Kelly, Paige, Lilly, Aislinn, Sarah McDonald (Barrett), Caroline, Griffin, Katherine, Declan, Luke, Mairin, Ryan, Maureen, Luciana, Milena, and Nino. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 AM on November 29, 2025, before Mass at 12:00 PM at St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Leesburg, VA. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan's name to Agape Pregnancy Center in Leesburg or to the St. Edmund Campion Catholic Church Building Fund, PO Box 1369, Flat Rock, NC 28731. (Sourced from: Loudon Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Leesburg, VA)  William P. Mitchell, better known as "Mitch," passed away suddenly on Friday, October 17, 2008, at age 61. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, a good brother, uncle, and the best friend anyone could wish for. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 1, 1947, to Jack and Canzada Mitchell, Mitch was one of seven children. He graduated from Sumner High School and joined the Navy in 1965. Mitch served his country for 30 years and retired in 1995. He started in the AT rate and retired as an AVCM. He was a proud member of Naval aviation at NAS Norfolk, MCAS Yuma, NAS Miramar, NAS North Island, VAL-4, VP-31, VP-9, VAW-110, VAW-117, VQ-4, VQ-3, and his beloved VAW-114 "HAWGS." Once upon a time, on a day that looked like any other, Mitch met Cindy in Yuma, and together they made a life neither would have ever imagined possible. Mitch was the foundation of providing both comfort and joy. Retirement enabled Mitch to focus on his many interests. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, cook, and sports enthusiast, and he was passionate about doing for others. He often said he enjoyed his stress-free life! Mitch's kindness and commitment are well known. Mitch has been active in the Mesa View 3 Homeowners Association for the past 14 years and is a lifetime member of the Benefactor Circle at the Zoological Society of San Diego. Mitch is survived by his wife and best buddy of 34 years, Cindy. He leaves behind his mother, Canzada Stevenson (age 96), his daughters, Beverly and Kelli, his sisters, Jacqueline Shanks (Ralph) and Marjorie Collins (Donald), and his brothers, Grover (Grace) and Benjamin. He was preceded in death by his son, Billy, his sister, June, and his brother, Jack. Mitch also has six beloved grandchildren, Cindy's brothers and their families, along with many well-loved nieces and nephews. Mitch's family will continue to share laughter, love, and "stories" with his friends, who have always been a part of our extended family, from coast to coast. Friendship is a promise made in the heart, unbreakable by distance, unchanged by time. Some people come into our lives and go quickly. Some stay for a while and leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never the same. It will be a big, scary world without you. (Sourced from: Legacy.com)  Tony Kernosky, 60, passed away Monday, 4 Jun 2007, at his home. He was born on 6 Dec 1946, in Herrin, to John and Frances Kernosky. He is survived by his wife, the former Dee Stufflebean, whom he married on 27 Aug 1977, in St. John's Catholic Church in West Frankfort, Illinois. Tony graduated from FCHS in 1964 and from Southern Illinois University in 1969, and entered the U.S. Navy that same year, serving his country as a Naval Aviator flying the E-2 Hawkeye (VAW-114/VAW-110). He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, receiving numerous medals and recognitions. After leaving the Navy, he worked for 28 years at GlaxoSmithKline, eventually retiring in June 2006 as a senior executive pharmaceutical sales representative. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW of Marion. He recently joined the American Legion in Carmel, Calif. Many of Tony's interests included gardening, hiking, and traveling. Tony had a great sense of humor and demonstrated it to the very end. He was a wonderful husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. In addition to his wife, Dee, he is survived by sister, Marcella Weaver of San Diego, Calif.; his brother, Jerry of Lowell, Mich.; his brother, Bob and wife, Carol, of St. Joseph, Mich.; a special sister-in-law, Teri Ingram and husband, Greg, of Carterville; brothers-in-law, Bob DePriest of San Diego, Calif., and Alex Sakyonia of Robinson; his cousin, Susan Ahlm Willmore of West Frankfort, whom he considered as a sister; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Eileen DePriest and Marion Sakyonia. Tony was buried at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Marion, IL, with full military honors. (sourced from Legacy.com)  Born in Meade, Kansas in 1960 as the youngest of 4, Weldon joined the US Navy IN 1982 and was stationed in San Diego, California where he lived the rest of his life. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Rosario “Chit” Wendt, of almost 40 years, his siblings, and his grandchildren. Weldon enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and deferred joining until after he completed his associates degree in 1981. He actively served in the US Navy 21 years in VAW-110, VAW-113 (x2) and VAW-117. He also served as the COMNAVAIRPAC T-56 Class Desk Manager before retiring as an ADCS in 2001. While he was in the service, he also earned his bachelors degree in aviation management and also completed 1210 hours of training (General-456, Airframe-754) in the FFA approved Airframe and Powerplant School No. 3418 Airframe mechanic in February of 1991 from Miramar College. After retirement from the Navy, Weldon began working as an aeronautical logistics manager at KBR from 2001 until his death. Weldon W. Wendt is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Rosario T. Wendt; his siblings: Dee Herrmann (Don), Jana Jantzen (Les), Weylin Wendt (Verna); his stepsons: Ed and Bob; his grandchildren Shayne, Aiden, Nick, and Kaylee; his great grandchildren Allen and Brenn; his many nieces, nephews, and beloved colleagues whom he cared deeply about. Weldon was preceded in death by his mother Dolly Ann Wendt, his father Wesley Wendt, and his grandson, Brendon Whitted Pollard. There wasn’t a person Weldon didn’t welcome into his home, his life, and into his heart. He will be greatly missed. (sourced from Poway-Bernardo Mortuary) |
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