Since the exact death date was not given, the date of his graveside service was used.

JOHN F. RICH

(veteran)

Graveside services for John F. Rich, 89,m of Blair, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Wisner.

John F. Rich was born Jan. 2, 1917, in Wisner to Orlo and May (Harshman) Rich.

He is remembered as gloriously heroic when exercising his lifelong love of maneuvering aircraft. He operated VH bombers during World War II, corporate planes for various national companies during the 1960s, a twin-engine touring plane for the original Kingston Trio and, in Saudi Arabia, TWA airliners for the late King Saud and his family.

He was delightfully handy and unquestionably skilled in woodworking. He masterfully assembled cabinetry, birdhouses, doll cradles and rocking horses for his children.

His family recalls he was “blessed with a voice for the angels.” He was commonly overheard in his shop or in the room next door with a lifting melody of his favorite tunes. At church, his rendition of “Ave Maria” sent shivers through your body.

And few, his family note, could roll a more perfectly formed smoke ring from a pipe.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Arnette and Terry Tucker of West Valley City, Utah; son, Rick Rich of St. George, Utah; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Lyle Joslin of Blair, James Joslin of Bloomington, Ill., Gloria Kellerman of Beatrice, Ed Joslin of Sidney, Mont., Marvellee Fink of Sidney, Mont., and Virginia Barlow of Schaller, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia; and five sisters, Margaret Wiese, Mary Streigel, Dorothy Hansen, Catherine Wahler, and Bernadine Coffee.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.