Arthur J. Art McGinnis 95 of Monroe WI and St. Augustine FL went to meet his Lord March 19, 2018, at Bailey Hospice of pneumonia complications.
One of 10 children born of Robert Bert and Mary Wand McGinnis Gratiot, WI. November 29, 1922 a 1941 graduate of Gratiot HS. His 1st job at age 14 was walking to a farm shocking corn all day upon arrival home Dad asked to see what he was paid kept it saying his family needed it more than he which made him feel proud to help. The day after graduation he boarded a train enroute to a factory job in Rockford, Il.
Soon he was to be drafted. He enlisted in Airforce where he earned his wings but flight engineers were in demand. His several locations included Puerto Rico and Detroit MI Ford plant in a famous Willow Run bomber factory that contributed so much to allied victory in WWII with a total of 8685 B-24 Liberators. In his 3 1/2 yr of service his co. sailed out 3 unsuccessful times enroute to Europe. The 3rd time they were told turn around again the Atomic Bomb ended the Great War.
Highlights was the Honor Flight and meeting and having photo taken with 2 famous Tuscany pilots at Veterans week in Branson. They contributed so much to win the war.
He married Thelma James of Rockford, Il. Art retired after 21 yr. as a Rockford police officer. He relocated his family to St. Augustine Fl and became a business entrepreneur.
Besides Flight engineer of B-17s, B24s B-29s bombers a retired Rockford police officer of 21 yr. a 50-year-plus member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Schlappi McGinnis, whom he married, April 10, 2005. Lorraine now resides at 616 8th Ave. - 235 Monroe, W 53566. Her 4 children are Heidi (Stephen) Digman, Ilene (Dale) Seffrood, Edward and Kathy and James and Teresa Schlappi. 3 daughters, Sylvia, Susan and Sandra and several great and grand children all of Florida.
Three sisters Roseanne Gerbeck Lena, Il., Patricia Heintz Warren, Il. And Tony Fox Monroe.
Preceded by parents, wife, Thelma 2 sisters Rita Zimmerman and Delphine Homb 4 brothers Jack, Robert, Frances and Andy. Daughter and grandson.
Funeral services were held in San Sebestian Catholic Church in FL. and buried in family plot in Fl. Memorials accepted for Monroe's Veterans Memorial Park in his name.
One of 10 children born of Robert Bert and Mary Wand McGinnis Gratiot, WI. November 29, 1922 a 1941 graduate of Gratiot HS. His 1st job at age 14 was walking to a farm shocking corn all day upon arrival home Dad asked to see what he was paid kept it saying his family needed it more than he which made him feel proud to help. The day after graduation he boarded a train enroute to a factory job in Rockford, Il.
Soon he was to be drafted. He enlisted in Airforce where he earned his wings but flight engineers were in demand. His several locations included Puerto Rico and Detroit MI Ford plant in a famous Willow Run bomber factory that contributed so much to allied victory in WWII with a total of 8685 B-24 Liberators. In his 3 1/2 yr of service his co. sailed out 3 unsuccessful times enroute to Europe. The 3rd time they were told turn around again the Atomic Bomb ended the Great War.
Highlights was the Honor Flight and meeting and having photo taken with 2 famous Tuscany pilots at Veterans week in Branson. They contributed so much to win the war.
He married Thelma James of Rockford, Il. Art retired after 21 yr. as a Rockford police officer. He relocated his family to St. Augustine Fl and became a business entrepreneur.
Besides Flight engineer of B-17s, B24s B-29s bombers a retired Rockford police officer of 21 yr. a 50-year-plus member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Schlappi McGinnis, whom he married, April 10, 2005. Lorraine now resides at 616 8th Ave. - 235 Monroe, W 53566. Her 4 children are Heidi (Stephen) Digman, Ilene (Dale) Seffrood, Edward and Kathy and James and Teresa Schlappi. 3 daughters, Sylvia, Susan and Sandra and several great and grand children all of Florida.
Three sisters Roseanne Gerbeck Lena, Il., Patricia Heintz Warren, Il. And Tony Fox Monroe.
Preceded by parents, wife, Thelma 2 sisters Rita Zimmerman and Delphine Homb 4 brothers Jack, Robert, Frances and Andy. Daughter and grandson.
Funeral services were held in San Sebestian Catholic Church in FL. and buried in family plot in Fl. Memorials accepted for Monroe's Veterans Memorial Park in his name.