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     Ray Leroy Evans was born on 2 July 1920 in Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho.⁴ He married Edythe Elizabeth Wall on 24 October 1945 in Klise Chapel at the East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^3,5 He died on 20 November 2000 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 80.^4,6,7 He was buried on 24 November 2000 at Graceland Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^6,8
     As a child he lived for a time with his granduncle George Allen Burlingham.⁷, and in 1940 he was living with his sister Alice and her husband William West and family in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, while working as a plater in a metal craft factory.⁹
     He served in the Army during World War II in the Red Arrow Division (the 32nd Infantry), enlisting as a corporal on 15 October 1940 in Grand Rapids. During his service he was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He was discharged on 13 July 1945.^6,10,11
     The 32nd Infantry Division saw combat a total of 654 days, more than any other Army division. They served in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines, and fought in the Battles of Buna-Gona, Leyte, and Luzon.¹²
     During the Battle of Buna-Gona he was a sergeant in what newspapers called the "Lost Company," serving as part of a roadblock behind Japanese lines along the Sanananda road in New Guinea for 23 days in late 1942. After two attempts by relief units to reach them failed, his unit made a final push to connect with relief forces. As part of that, he led a grenade assault on Japanese forces that continued all night. Eventually the unit broke through, and was formally relieved on 24 December.¹³ On the day they were relieved, he suffered wounds to his ear and shoulder from an exploding artillery shell, and was hospitalized until March 1943, during which time he also suffered from malaria.¹⁴ He was again hit by artillery shell fragments in December 1944, apparently during the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines, this time around his nose. He was again hospitalized, but released the same month.¹⁴
     He and his future wife Edythe met on the beach at Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven, Ottawa Co., Michigan, shortly before he left for his Army service in 1941, and married about three months after his discharge.¹⁵ They are listed together in Grand Rapids in the 1950 census.¹⁶ He was then working as a deliveryman for a wholesale appliance dealer¹⁶, and later was an engineer at Lear Corp.¹⁵

More Information / Background

• 32nd Infantry Division (United States).
  

     Edythe Elizabeth Wall was born on 11 November 1919 in Öland, Kalmar Co., Sweden.¹ She married Ray Leroy Evans, son of Rolland Ray Evans and Mary L. Jones, on 24 October 1945 in Klise Chapel at the East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^2,4 She died on 23 March 2006 at age 86.^3,1 She was buried on 27 March 2006 at Graceland Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^1,5
     She was orphaned in Sweden at age 9, and was sent to the United States shortly afterward, where she was adopted by relatives Arvid T. and Ruth E. (Erickson) Wall^1,3, taking their surname.^2,3
     She grew up in western Michigan, graduating in 1940 from Sparta High School in Sparta, Kent Co., Michigan,¹ then entered the Augusta School of Nursing in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, to begin training as a pediatric nurse.¹
     She and her future husband Ray met on the beach at Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven, Ottawa Co., Michigan, shortly before he left for his Army service in 1941, and married about three months after his discharge.¹ They are listed together in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, in the 1950 census.⁶

     Albert Evans was born on 13 December 1924 in Monroe, Monroe Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 27 October 1926 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 1, from burns suffered in a fire that he started by playing with matches underneath a bed.^1,2 He was buried on 29 October 1926 at Fairplains Cemetery (Block X, Lot T16_C, Space 2) in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^1,3
     He had the nickname "Jackie."^3,2

     Oscar J. DeWitt was probably born in October 1873, in Auburn, DeKalb Co., Indiana.^5,6,4,3,7 He married first Elmira Stedman, daughter of Edwin Stedman and Harriet Graham, on 9 September 1894 in Columbia, Van Buren Co., Michigan.⁴ They were divorced on 28 March 1906 in Ottawa Co., Michigan. The case was filed by Oscar on 8 December 1905, and was not contested.⁸ He married second Viola Rose Evans, daughter of Albert Elton Evans and Charity Mabel Burlingham, on 22 January 1908 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^1,9 He died on 17 November 1948 in Irving Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.^3,10 He was buried on 20 November 1948 at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.^11,10
     He and his first wife Elmira are listed in Perry Twp., Allen Co., Indiana, in the 1900 census with their children Floyd, Harry, and Harly.⁵
     He and his second wife Viola and their family are listed in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, in the 1910 and 1920 censuses.^2,12 They moved to Baltimore Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, sometime between 1920 and 1930^12,13, and are listed there in the 1930 and 1940 censuses. In addition to their younger children, their son Ralph and his wife Aline and their son Ralph Jr. were living with them in 1930. Their son Basil and his second wife Hilda were living with them in 1940.^13,14,15
     He was working as a day laborer in 1900 and laborer in a paper mill in 1910, and later became a farmer.^5,2,12,13

     Ralph G. DeWitt was born on 1 January 1909 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,4 He married Aline Wilkins, daughter of Robert Wilkins and Hannah Mead, on 29 June 1927 in Hickory Corners, Barry Co., Michigan.² He died on 20 September 1980 at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Orange Co., Florida, at age 71.^5,6 He was buried on 26 September 1980 at Hillside Cemetery (Plot DD9/8) in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.^7,6
     In 1930 he and his wife Aline and their son Ralph were living with his parents in Baltimore Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.⁸ They were living in Allegan Co., Michigan, in 1935⁹, but by 1940 had moved back to Barry Co., in Yankee Spring Twp. Ralph's younger brother Robert was then living with them.⁹ They moved to Irving Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, in 1944.⁶
     In 1930 he was working as a teamster doing road construction, and had turned to farming by 1940.^8,9 He later worked for E. W. Bliss Co., a manufacturer of machine tools in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, then as a tool and die maker for General Motors in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, retiring in 1969.⁶
     On 26 October 1956, at about 7:30 in the morning, their farm home was destroyed by fire, and all their belongings were lost. Their son Kreeno was home alone, sleeping upstairs, smelled smoke, and was forced outside. The loss was estimated at over $10,000, and was partially covered by insurance.¹⁰
     In 1970, after his retirement, he and Aline moved to St. Cloud, Osceola Co., Florida.¹¹

     Oscar Jay DeWitt was born on 6 May 1910 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^4,5,6 He married first Mary M. Barnebee, daughter of Marion Barnebee and Lettie Whitehorn, on 6 July 1929 in Lagrange Co., Indiana.⁷ They were divorced on 9 November 1934 in Barry Co., Michigan, filed by Mary on 16 August 1932; alimony was granted.⁸ He married second Beatrice Anna Moore, daughter of Owen Moore and Cora Crossman, in August 1936.¹ They were divorced on 22 May 1945 in Barry Co., Michigan.¹ He and Beatrice may have later remarried. Beatrice's obituary says she was survived "by her husband, Oscar;" Social Security records list her name as Beatrice Anna Dewitt in 1944, Beatrice Dewitt Sibotean in 1946, and Beatrice A. Dewitt after her death; they are listed together in the 1954 Grand Rapids city directory; and they share a cemetery marker.^9,10,11,12 He married third Thelma Cassandralee Lee, daughter of Harper Lee and Eva O. Sutton.^2,13 He died on 20 November 1997 at age 87.² He was buried on 24 November 1997 at Rutland Cemetery in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.²
     He and his first wife Mary are listed in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in the 1930 census with their infant daughter Rose and Mary's daughter Ruby Jane Horn from her first marriage.¹⁴ In 1940 he is listed with his second wife Beatrice in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, along with their infant daughter Judith.¹⁵ In 1948 he was living in Middleville, Barry Co., Michigan.¹⁶ He was working in a paper mill in 1930 as a laborer, and in a public garage in 1940, and later worked for General Motors.^14,15,2 He also enjoyed fishing and trapping.²
     On 13 October 1983 he was seriously injured in a car accident in Oakfield Twp., Kent Co., Michigan. He was westbound on State Route 57 near Harvard Ave. when his car crossed the center line and collided with a car driven by Robert A. Caswell, who died at the scene.¹⁷

     Mandanna Arvada DeWitt was born in Michigan, probably on 5 January 1912.^7,8,6,9 She married Karl Cedric Goldsmith, son of Orrin Goldsmith and Glenn Beebe, about 1928 (based on the birth date of their first child Josephine).^3,4 She died on 25 June 1986 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^10,5 She was buried at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹¹
     She and her husband Karl are listed in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in the censuses from 1930 to 1950, in Vicksburg in 1930, and in Oshtemo Twp. in 1940 and 1950. In 1930 they were living in the same house as Donald D. and Opal Goldsmith, probably Karl's brother and his wife.^12,13,14 Mandanna was working as an elevator operator in 1950.¹⁴

     Basil Edgbert DeWitt was born on 12 April 1914 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.³ He married first Marguerite May Rathmann, daughter of Daniel H. Rathmann and Jessie M. Anderson, on 11 January 1935 in Martin, Allegan Co., Michigan.¹ Marguerite filed for divorce on 14 January 1941, and their divorce was finalized on 8 July 1942 in Tuscola Co., Michigan.⁴ He married second Hilda Mae Miller, daughter of Chauncey Jerome Miller and Lydia M. Miller (see below). He died on 16 January 1965, at age 50, in a two-car collision in Romulus Twp. (now the city of Romulus), Wayne Co., Michigan.⁵
     No marriage record has been found online for Basil DeWitt and Hilda Miller, but they are listed together as husband and wife in the 1950 census.⁶ Further, when Basil registered for the World War II draft on 16 October 1940, he listed as his contact person "Mrs. Hilda May Dewitt, wife."³ Hilda was living with Basil and his parents Oscar and Viola DeWitt in 1940, and listed in the census on 29 May 1940 as Oscar's daughter-in-law.⁷ The identification of Hilda's parents as Chauncey Jerome Miller and Lydia M. Miller is from Chauncey's 1951 obituary, which names Hilda Mae DeWitt of Detroit as their daughter.⁸ Note, though, that although Basil and Hilda were apparently living together as husband and wife by 1940, Basil and his first wife Marguerite weren't officially divorced until 8 July 1942.⁴
     As noted above, he and his second wife Hilda are listed in the 1940 census living with his parents, in Baltimore Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.⁷ He was then working as a lineman for an electric company.⁷ They and their children, plus Basil's mother Viola, are listed in Van Buren Twp., Wayne Co., Michigan, in the 1950 census.⁶ He was then working as a railroad brakeman.⁶

     Jessie Mabel DeWitt was born on 31 May 1916 in Allegan, Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,4,5 She married first Ralph Watson Dunklee, son of Watson Dunklee and Mary Wells, on 10 November 1931 in LaGrange Co., Indiana.⁶ She married second Lawrence Robert Wilkins, son of Robert Wilkins and Hannah Mead, on 9 September 1939 in Williams Co., Ohio.⁷ She died on 5 September 1992 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 76.^8,4 She was buried at East Hickory Corners Cemetery in Hickory Corners, Barry Co., Michigan.⁹
     She was living in LaGrange Co., Indiana, at the time of her first marriage in 1931, and working as a housekeeper.⁶ After their marriage she moved with her husband Ralph back to Allegan Co., Michigan, where their daughter Rosemary was born in 1933.¹⁰
     At the time of her second marriage in 1939 she was living in Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio, and working as a domestic.⁷ She and Lawrence moved back to his hometown of Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1940 census, along with her children Rosemary, Edwin, and Floyd.¹¹ They may have moved to Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, for a time, where their son Sammy was born in 1944¹², but by 1950 they were back in Hastings. In addition to their children, their daughter Rosemary's new husband Carl Price was then living with them, along with Jessie's nephew Ralph DeWitt.¹³

     Nellie Belle DeWitt was born on 3 December 1917 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.³ She married first Byron Mills Johncox, son of Lavern Henry Johncox and Lula Mae Anderson, on 7 August 1933 in Elkhart Co., Indiana.³ She married second Warren Abraham Donahe, son of Emil Donahe and Eva Witter, on 11 July 1954 in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada.⁴ They separated on 17 February 1958, and Nellie filed for divorce within a month, asking for custody of their two children and $150/month in support.⁴ They were not officially divorced, howver, until January 1974 in Santa Clara Co., California.⁵ She died on 28 February 2007 at age 89.⁶ She was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Fremont, Alameda Co., California.⁷
     For a short time after their marriage Nellie and her first husband Byron lived in Michigan, where their daughter Betty was born.⁸ By 1935 they had moved to Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California, then to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California, where they are listed in the 1940 census.⁸ In 1948 they were living in Aromas, California, which straddles the border between Monterey Co. and San Benito Co.⁹, and in the 1950 census they are listed in Castroville, Monterey Co.¹⁰ She was then working as a grocery clerk.¹⁰
     She was living in Arkansas in 1992, probably with her son Byron's family.¹¹

     Willowdean Elizabeth DeWitt was born on 11 November 1919 in Michigan.^4,1 She married first Ylartio Martin Rodriguez, son of Bentura Rodriguez and Ysalbella Martinez, on 3 July 1937 in Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Michigan.² She married second Robert Eldon Chubb.⁵ She married third Fred Thomas Marshall on 18 December 1965 in Washtenaw Co., Michigan.³ She died on 22 January 2012 in Washtenaw Co., Michigan, at age 92.⁶
     She and her second husband Robert may have lived for a time in California. They are listed there in San Francisco in the 1945 city directory.⁷ They were back in Michigan by 1950, listed in the census in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., along with their son Robert, age 5. Living with them were Willowdean's brother Robert DeWitt and his family.⁸

     Helen M. DeWitt was born on 20 March 1921 in Michigan.^3,1,4 She married first Eugene John Cerbone, son of Marco Cerbone and Pasqualina Rocco, on 29 February 1944 at Borough Hall in Bronx Co., New York.² She married second Vincent Bernard Scafidi, son of John Scafidi and Marie Alcuri, between 1982 and 1985 (see below). She died on 10 January 2006 at age 84.³ She was buried, as Helen Cerbone, at Mount Hope Cemetery (Section 86, Lot 19) in Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester Co., New York.³
     She and her first husband Eugene are listed at 3850 Amundson Ave. in Bronx Co., New York, in the 1950 census, in the main part of the house. Another family was living upstairs, and Eugene's parents were living downstairs.⁵
     No marriage record has been found online for Helen DeWitt and Vincent Scafidi, but other records support it. The 1997 obituary for Helen's brother Oscar names a surviving sister Helen Scifida.⁶ And records from the Burlingham/Phelps Reunion list a Helen Scafidi as attending the reunion in August 1994.⁷ Further, in the Ancestry database U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, there are entries for Helen M. Cerbone (in 1993), Helen M. Scafidi (1993), and Vincent B. Scafidi (1991) at 39 Highview Ave. in Wurtsboro, New York; for Helen M. Scafidi (1985,1994) and Vincent B. Scafidi at 353 Star Rt. in Wurtsboro, New York; and for Helen M. Scafidi at 1944 81st St. in Brooklyn, New York.⁸ And in the database U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Vincent B. Scafidi is also listed at 1944 81st St. in Brooklyn, New York.⁹

     Robert John Leo DeWitt was born on 8 June 1923 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^5,3,4 He married Katherine A. Miller, daughter of Alvin E. Miller and Mary A. (?), on 1 January 1945 in Ionia Co., Michigan.³ He died on 23 March 2007 at age 83.⁵
     He (and presumably his wife Katherine) were living in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, in 1948.⁶ In 1950 they were living with his sister Willowdean's family in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Michigan.⁷

     Aline Wilkins was born on 24 March 1910 in Prairieville Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.² She married Ralph G. DeWitt, son of Oscar J. DeWitt and Viola Rose Evans, on 29 June 1927 in Hickory Corners, Barry Co., Michigan.¹ She died on 12 March 1993 at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, at age 82.^4,3 She was buried on 16 March 1993 at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.³
     In 1930 she and her husband Ralph, and their son Ralph, were living with his parents in Baltimore Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.⁵ They were living in Allegan Co., Michigan, in 1935⁶, but by 1940 had moved back to Barry Co., in Yankee Spring Twp. Ralph's younger brother Robert was then living with them.⁶ They moved to Irving Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, in 1944.⁷
     On 26 October 1956, at about 7:30 in the morning, their farm home was destroyed by fire, and all their belongings were lost. Their son Kreeno was home alone, sleeping upstairs, smelled smoke, and was forced outside. The loss was estimated at over $10,000, and was partially covered by insurance.⁸
     In 1970, after her husband's retirement, they moved to St. Cloud, Osceola Co., Florida.³
     Sometime after her husband's death in 1980 she moved to Orlando, Orange Co., Florida, where her son Sterling was living. Sterling died in October 1992, and she moved back to Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, where she lived with her daughter Mercedes.⁹

     Samuel A. Stacy was born on 17 August 1912 in Nebraska.^3,1 He died on 8 July 1963 in San Francisco Co., California, at age 50.³ He was buried on 11 July 1963 at Golden Gate National Cemetery (Sect. 2E, Site 2491) in San Bruno, San Mateo Co., California.⁴
     He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, enlisting on 14 March 1941 in San Francisco.⁵

     Antoinette Stacy was born on 20 December 1914 in Nebraska.⁴ She married Arnold Miller Stevens, son of Harry Sanford Stevens and Allis L. Miller.^4,5 She died on 26 July 1980 in San Francisco Co., California, at age 65.⁴
     In 1940 she was living with her mother in Calexico, Imperial Co., California,³ but by 1943 was living on her own at 3040 Jackson St. in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California, and working for the U.S. Civil Service Commission.⁶ After their marriage she and her husband Arnold lived at 1966 24th Ave. in San Francisco, probably from at least 1948 to 1959, where he also worked for the U.S. Civil Service Commission.⁵

     Edna Marian Baker was born on 7 July 1891 (Social Security records say 7 July 1892) in Brewster, Blaine Co., Nebraska.^2,3,4 She married Alan A. Clements, son of Edwin Perry Clements and Lulu Luzetta Johnson, about 1911 (based on Alan's age at marriage of 24) in Nebraska.^4,5 They later separated, apparently between 1920, when they were listed together in the census, and 1930, when they were listed apart but still married, and were divorced before 1932, when Alan remarried.^6,7,8,9,10 She died on 18 December 1944 at Seaside Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California, from cancer of the esophagus.^2,3 She was interred at Angeles Abbey Mausoleum in Compton, Los Angeles Co., California.^2,4
     Although she was listed with her husband Alan in Ord, Valley Co., Nebraska, in the 1920 census⁶, she soon afterwards (or before; her obituary says in 1919) moved to El Centro, Imperial Co., California.⁴ By 1930 she had moved to Calexico in Imperial Co., where she lived with her sister-in-law Bess Stacy.^11,4
     She was a newspaper linotype operator, beginning her career at the Ord Quiz. After moving to California, she worked at the Calexico Chronicle for 20 years, then at the Long Beach Sun.⁴ In 1939 she and her sister-in-law Bess became part owners of The Desert Magazine, first published in November 1937.¹²

     Catherine U. Blessing was born on 13 February 1897 in Nebraska.² She was married by Morton L. Rose, D.D., to Edwin Perry Clements, son of Edwin Perry Clements and Lulu Luzetta Johnson, on 30 August 1919 in Grand Island, Hall Co., Nebraska.¹ She died on 29 November 1965 in San Bernardino Co., California, at age 68.² She was interred at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, San Bernardino Co., California.³
     After their marriage she and her husband Edwin lived in Ord, Valley Co., Nebraska.^4,5 They moved to California about June 1936⁶, where they are listed in Ontario, San Bernardino Co., in the 1940 census.⁷

     Eva M. Daley was born on 8 April 1906 in Dryden, Lapeer Co., Michigan.^3,1 She was married by Decatur N. Lacy, Pastor of the First M. E. Church, to Fay Carleton Johnson, son of Julian Deyoe Johnson and Glenora Luella Mayo, on 4 April 1925 in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan.¹ She died on 6 March 1982 in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, at age 75.^3,4 She was buried on 9 March 1982 at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, Oakland Co., Michigan.⁴
     She graduated in 1924 from Central High School in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan,⁴ and later from Wayne State University in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.⁴ She and her husband Fay were living in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, in 1930. Eva's father George was then living with them.² In 1940 they were living in Keego Harbor, Oakland Co., Michigan.⁵ She was working as a waitress in 1940⁵, and later became a schoolteacher, in Birmingham, Oakland Co., Michigan.⁴

     Agnes Henrietta Friery was born on 6 September 1888 in Bismarck, St. Francois Co., Missouri.¹ She was married by Joseph A. Collins, RCP, to Fay Victor Johnson, son of Stafford Hiram Johnson and Martha B. Burlingham, on 22 November 1907 in Farmington, St. Francois Co., Missouri.³ She died on 4 August 1965 at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas, at age 76 from colon cancer.^1,4 She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Jonesboro, Craighead Co., Arkansas.⁵
     After their marriage she and her husband Fay lived in Jonesboro, Craighead Co., Arkansas.^6,7 They moved to Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, sometime before 1928⁸ where they remained until at least 1947.^9,10,11 They may have then moved back to Jonesboro and stayed until 1959^12,4,13, when they moved to Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas, where they lived with their daughter Catherine.^12,4