Person Page

     Esther Hinckley was born on 19 August 1775.¹

     Dency Hinckley was born on 9 December 1776.¹

     Harry Hinckley was born on 7 August 1778.¹

     Charles Hinckley was born on 5 June 1780.¹

     Luther Hinckley was born on 26 May 1782.¹

     Eunice Hinckley was born on 15 May 1784.¹

     David Hinckley was born on 23 March 1786.¹

     Esther Hinckley was born on 25 November 1777.^1,2 She died unmarried.²

     Lillian Lucille Waldron was born on 13 November 1924 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^2,1 She married first Myrl Vernon Velie, son of Sam Velie and Effie Milliman, on 12 November 1943 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 16 June 1947.¹ She married second Roland Manley, son of Jessie W. Manley and Lizzie L. Moon, on 7 July 1948 in Angola, Steuben Co., Indiana.^2,1 She died on 11 August 1982 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 57.³ She was buried on 14 August 1982 at Vicksburg Cemetery in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. Funeral services were at the Rupert-Durham Funeral Home, with Dr. Lowell Walsworth of the Vicksburg United Methodist Church officiating.^2,3

     Roland Manley was born on 26 September 1921 (the Social Security Death Index says 26 October 1921) in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^2,3 He married Lillian Lucille Waldron, daughter of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 7 July 1948 in Angola, Steuben Co., Indiana.^1,4 He died on 12 April 1998 at age 76.³ He was buried at Vicksburg Cemetery in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁵
     He served in the military during the second World War.² He was a certified welder, and worked in maintenance of heavy equipment.² He was living in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in 1995.⁶

     Raymond Riley Waldron was born on 3 March 1919 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 He married first Verna Leona Lipton on 13 March 1945 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 3 November 1945 in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^3,1 He married second Rosemary Rodney on 24 January 1946 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 16 June 1947.¹ He married third Lillian Grey on 6 April 1948 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,4 They were divorced on 8 August 1950 (filed by Raymond on 13 May 1950) in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^5,4,1 He married fourth Beverly Jean Hoch, daughter of Claude Hoch and Flossie Louden, on 2 January 1953 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,6 They were divorced about 1957.¹ He married fifth Mary Ella Whidden in May 1964 in Manatee Co., Florida.⁷ They were divorced in March 1969 in Hardee Co., Florida.⁸ He married sixth Madeline Brownlee, daughter of Frank Brownlee and Edna Simpson, on 26 September 1970 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida.^9,10 They were divorced on 30 July 1975 in Pinellas Co., Florida.¹¹ He married seventh Pauline Francis Wolf, daughter of Glen Wolf and Nellie Elizabeth Thurston, on 11 October 1974 in Angola, Steuben Co., Indiana.^12,13 They divorced in June 1975 in Calhoun Co., Michigan.¹⁴ He was later in a relationship with Mary Ellen Smallwood.^2,15 He died on 7 October 1997 at Veteran's Hospital in South Carolina at age 78 from pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and end stage pulmonary disease.¹⁶ He was buried under a big shade tree at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, Beaufort Co., South Carolina.^2,16
     He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 21 August 1941 to 23 June 1944. He was in basic training in California, and sent to Hawaii two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was transferred to Australia in August 1943, where he worked as a mail orderly with the 34th Infantry. In April 1944 he was a rifleman in the initial invasion of Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea, and a month later later landed with reinforcements at Biak in the Schouten Islands. He missed sailing with his division to the Philippines with MacArthur when he contracted malaria two weeks previously. He returned to the U.S., and spent time at Fletcher General Hospital in Cambridge, Ohio, and at Percy Jones Medical Center. He was discharged from the army under the point system.^17,2
     He worked as a golf course groundskeeper.²
     He and Mary Ellen Smallwood were living in Osprey, Sarasota Co., Florida, in 1995.^15,16 In October 1997, while driving home to Florida from a trip, they were forced off the road in Tennessee and hit a girder. They went on to Mary Ellen's son's home in South Carolina. Raymond was not well, and was admitted to Veteran's Hospital the next day. He had had a heart attack, and was also suffering from pneumonia. After two weeks it was evident that the only thing keeping him alive was the respirator. With the approval of his family, he was taken off the machine, and died.¹⁶

More Information / Background

• Operations Reckless and Persecution
  
• Battle of Biak.
  

     Paul Harrison Waldron was born on 9 December 1920 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He married Arneda B. Ferguson, daughter of Erol E. Ferguson and Minnie E. (?), on 26 April 1941 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 17 June 1999 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 78.^2,3 He was buried on 19 June 1999 at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Funeral services were held at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Pastor Kevin Barker officiating. A Masonic graveside service was held by the Anchor Lodge #87, F. & A.M.²
     In 1940 he was living in Kalamazoo with his mother's aunt Minnie (Woodin) and her husband Claude Roe, and working in Claude's burial vault business.⁴
     He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12), enlisting on 12 August 1943 (Service No. 862 94 38). He was officially received on board as a seaman 2nd class from the receiving station in Norfolk, Virginia, when the Hornet was commissioned on 29 November 1943. His rating was upgraded to fireman 2nd class on 1 January 1944, to fireman 1st class on 1 August 1944, to electrician's mate 3rd class on 1 October 1944, and later to electrician's mate 2nd class.^5,6
     After a short two-week shakedown and training cruise off Bermuda, instead of the standard 4-5 weeks, the Hornet sailed from Norfolk on 14 February 1944, traveled through the Panama Canal, and arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 4 March. From there they headed for Majura Atoll in the Marshall Islands, arriving on 20 March, and joined the Fast Carrier Task Force, the main offensive Navy force in the Pacific.
     For the next 15 months the Hornet was continuously in operation, never docking, spending most of that time in forward combat areas. From March to May 1944 they hit targets in the Caroline and Marianas Islands. In June they left Majuro for seven weeks of operations in the Marianas Islands, including strikes against Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June pilots from the Hornet downed 52 Japanese planes in what became known as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," and four days later, on 24 June, they downed a record 67 planes. In July and August they performed air strikes in preparation for the invasions of Guam and Palau.^7,8
     In September and October the Hornet was in the Philippines, preparing for MacArthur's invasion, and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history. They continued operating in the Philippine area in November and December, hitting various targets at sea and on land.
     They then sailed to the South China Sea for strikes against Formosa, Indo-China, and the Pescadores Islands. On 16 February 1945 Hornet fighters conducted the first carrier strikes against Tokyo, followed by strikes against Iwo Jima in support of the Marine invasion there. On 6-7 April they supported the invasion of Okinawa, including the first strikes against the Japanese super-battleship Yamato, which eventually sank with 2488 men on board. They continued supporting troops on Okinawa, and striking various targets in Japan, for the next two months.
     On 5 June 1945 the fleet was struck by a severe typhoon, with winds up to 138 mph and 60-foot seas. The three-day storm damaged over 20 ships in Adm. Halsey's Third Fleet, including the Hornet where 24 feet of the forward flight deck collapsed. They were still able to launch some aircraft from the stern, but not well enough for continual operations. They returned to the Philippines, then to San Francisco for repairs, arriving on 7 July 1945. On 13 September, with repairs completed and after the Japanese surrender, the Hornet again sailed for the Pacific, bringing servicemen home from Pearl Harbor and Guam as part of "Operation Magic Carpet."^7,8,9
     On 23 October 1945 Paul was transferred to the receiving station in San Francisco, and honorably discharged on 5 November 1945. He had earned six battle stars for participation in major engagements.^5,10,9
     After their marriage, he and his wife Arneda lived at 633 Trimble Ave. in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,9 In June 1983 they were living at 4323 E. Centre St., Portage, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹¹ And in 1995, they were still living in Kalamazoo.¹²
     He was an electrical supervisor for the Allied Paper Corporation for forty years, retiring in 1980.^2,13 He was a life member of the Masons, and past worshipful master of the Anchor Lodge #87 in Kalamazoo.^1,2 He was also an active member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, serving on various boards and singing as part of the choir.² He liked gardening, fishing, and painting landscapes.²

More Information / Background

• USS Hornet Museum
  
• USS Hornet
  
• Battle of the Philippine Sea
  
• Battle of Leyte Gulf
  
• Operation Magic Carpet
  
• Allied Paper Corporation
  
• The Allied Paper Corporation, historical pictures, etc.
  
• The Allied Paper Mill of Kalamazoo, MI, pictures of abandoned mill and its demolition.
  

     Vivian M. Waldron was born on 15 March 1923 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 She married Alby L. Huntington, son of James Huntington and Rosetta Fair, on 2 July 1944 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan (although a pamphlet distributed at her funeral says 23 August 1944, in Kalamazoo).^1,2 They separated on 29 August 1948. On 7 September she signed away her rights and interest in their property. They got back together on 8 October 1948, then separated again eight days later.³ They were divorced on 10 January 1949 in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁴ She died at her home on 1 July 2000 at age 77.² She was buried on 6 July 2000 at Vicksburg Cemetery in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. Pallbearers were Steve Waldron, Allen VanOrnam, Brian Miller, Richard Dalman, Dan Dalman, Tim Dalman, Joey Hendrixson, and Ed Axtel.²
     After their marriage, she and her husband Alby lived in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,5,6 They moved to rural Vicksburg in 1952.² She attended the United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.² She loved being outdoors, hunting for deer and rabbits, fishing, and collecting mushrooms. She also enjoyed bowling, and participated in the Michigan Women's Bowling Association Championship in Grand Rapids in 1981.²

     Marilyn June Waldron was born on 25 February 1926 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 She married Vincent Eugene Lash, son of William E. Lash, on 13 November 1943 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,3,2,4 She died on 20 May 2012 at Battle Creek Manor in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 86.² She was buried on 24 May 2012 at Leonidas Cemetery in St. Joseph Co., Michigan.²
     She and her husband Vincent lived on a farm in Bronson, Branch Co., Michigan, most of their lives^1,5,6,7, but in their later years spent many winters in Florida.² She worked in a factory for several years after her children were raised.² She enjoyed get-togethers with her family, fishing, painting, crocheting, and "in the early years catching frogs."²

     Pauline Irene Waldron was born on 6 November 1927 at home in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 She married her childhood friend Dale Edward Smith, son of George Smith and Hattie Moyer, on 9 February 1946, in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. (Pauline's obituary inexplicably says in Kansas City, probably an error.)^3,1,4 She died on 2 August 2010 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 82.^5,4
     She graduated from Vicksburg High School in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁴ She and her husband Dale lived in Vicksburg.^1,6,7
     Once her children were all in school, she began working as a housekeeper at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, eventually becoming a trainer for new employees. She retired after 30 years, and was recognized for her service.⁴
     When their children were young, she and her husband Dale spent two weeks each summer camping with a travel trailer, and visited most of the 50 states.⁴
     She loved cooking, and even made wedding cakes for family members. She also recorded home movies, had a rose garden, gathered mushrooms, went to garage sales, and played table games like poker, bunco, and pinochle.⁴
     In later life her health declined and she developed Alzheimer's disease.⁴

     Darlene Eileen Waldron was born on 6 November 1927 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ She married second Carl Vroman on 12 October 1957 (or 18 October) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 They were divorced in 1961.² She married third Edwin G. Axtell, son of Everett B. Axtell and Olive Frisbie, on 2 November 1966 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^3,2 She died on 9 January 2014 at age 86.⁴ She was buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery (Section H, Site 301) in Augusta, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^5,6
     On 21 January 1942 her sister Dona Marie Waldron fell into a drainage ditch southeast of Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, while walking home from school with a group of classmates. Betty Diahl, age 8, fell in trying to rescue her. Dona's brother Robert and Betty's sister Clarissa also fell in trying to rescue them. Darlene quickly pulled out Clarissa, but her sister Dona and Betty Diahl could not be revived. Robert Waldron was hospitalized, but survived.^7,8,9,1
     After their marriage, she and her second husband Carl lived in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ She and her third husband Edwin were living in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in 2000.¹⁰

     James Dale Waldron was born on 10 October 1932 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 He married Virginia Mae Bellingham, daughter of Charles Bellingham and Agnes Duffy, on 21 June 1952 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 3 November 2018 at age 86.² He was buried at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South (Section A) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.³
     He was drafted, served with the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War, and was discharged about October 1954.^4,5 After the war he worked for the Allied Paper Co. in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan,⁵ and as an electrician.²
     He was a member of the Kalamazoo Free Methodist Church, and did a mission trip following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.²
     He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, and hunting, and he and his wife Virginia traveled throughout the U.S., and to Canada and the Caribbean.^2,5

     Dona Marie Waldron was born on 18 February 1934 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 She drowned on 21 January 1942 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 7 after falling into a drainage ditch southeast of town. Heavy late fall rains had caused the ditch to overflow, and colder weather caused a sheet of ice to form over the surrounding marshland. Then in January, drainage operations lowered the water level, and warmer weather weakened the ice. Dona and a group of classmates were taking a shortcut across the icy marsh while walking home from school. The ice broke, sending Dona into the water. A classmate, Betty Diahl, age 8, fell in trying to rescue her. Dona's brother Robert and Betty's sister Clarissa also fell in trying to rescue them. Clarissa was quickly pulled out by Dona's sister Darlene. Older students and teachers soon arrived, and pulled out the remaining three children. Dona Waldron and Betty Diahl could not be revived. Robert Waldron was hospitalized, but survived. The water in the ditch was less than four feet deep, but the small children, in their heavy winter clothing, were unable to get out of the ditch.^1,3,4,2 She was buried on 24 January 1942 at Vicksburg Cemetery in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. (an unknown value).¹

     Robert LeRoy Waldron was born on 15 September 1935 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He married first Betty Gailhouse, daughter of Russell Gailhouse and Grace (?), on 21 July 1956 in Angola, Steuben Co., Indiana.^1,2 He died on 15 June 2012 at age 76.³
     He also went by the nickname "Bobby."¹
     On 21 January 1942 his sister Dona Marie Waldron fell into a drainage ditch southeast of Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, while walking home from school with a group of classmates. Betty Diahl, age 8, fell in trying to rescue her. He and Betty's sister Clarissa also fell in trying to rescue them. Clarissa was quickly pulled out, and older students and teachers soon arrived and pulled out the remaining three children. Dona Waldron and Betty Diahl could not be revived. Robert was hospitalized, but survived.^4,5,6,1
     He worked for the W-L Molding Co. in Portage, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, for forty years.³

More Information / Background

• W-L Molding Company.
  

     Wayne Charles Waldron was born on 20 November 1936 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 He married first Louise Marks, daughter of Marion L. McNett, on 2 January 1955 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.² They divorced, then remarried¹, and were divorced again on 10 February 1977.³ He died on 8 July 2016 at age 79.¹ He was buried at Vicksburg Cemetery (Block 11) in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,4
     He left school in the ninth grade, after a new school was built and his class was split up. He then wanted to enlist in the military, but was underage and his mother refused to give her permission. He began working at Prudential Nursery in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, but that was only a summer position. In December 1956 he joined Durametallic, a packing manufacturer in Kalamazoo, as a shipping clerk, and remained there until retiring in 1992.¹

     Verna Leona Lipton married Raymond Riley Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 13 March 1945 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 3 November 1945 in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^2,1

     Rosemary Rodney married Raymond Riley Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 24 January 1946 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 16 June 1947.¹
     She was from Arkansas.¹

     Lillian Grey married Raymond Riley Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 6 April 1948 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 They were divorced on 8 August 1950 (filed by Raymond on 13 May 1950) in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^3,2,1

     Beverly Jean Hoch was born on 28 May 1930 in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 She married second Raymond Riley Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 2 January 1953 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^3,1 They were divorced about 1957.³ She died on 8 October 2008 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 78.^1,4
     She was employed cleaning houses, and helping her mother run an adult foster care home.¹ She enjoyed dancing, gardening, and sewing.¹

     Arneda B. Ferguson was born on 27 November 1923 in Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., Missouri.⁴ She married Paul Harrison Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 26 April 1941 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹
     After their marriage, she and her husband Paul lived at 633 Trimble Ave. in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,5 In June 1983 they were living at 4323 E. Centre St., Portage, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁶ And in 1995, they were still living in Kalamazoo.⁷

     Josephine Scheid was born on 13 November 1922 in Watervliet, Berrien Co., Michigan.^2,3,4 She married Donald Edward Waldron, son of Raymond Carney Waldron and Leeta Mae Williamson, on 16 March 1946 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,3 She died on 27 February 2008 at the Tendercare of Westwood nursing home in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 85.^3,4 She was buried on 3 March 2008 at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.³
     She and her husband Donald lived in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,5,6,7 She enjoyed flower gardening and traveling with her husband after his retirement.³