Joseph M. Maricelli
1939 ~ 2024
Captain Joseph Marion Maricelli, 84, of Merryville, LA, passed from this life on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Joe Maricelli was born to Ray and Florence Maricelli on December 06, 1939 in Merryville, LA. He graduated from Merryville High School in 1957. He was awarded a football scholarship to Northwestern State College (now NSU) in Natchitoches, LA. He enrolled at NSC where he played football in the positions of fullback and halfback and joined ROTC. He was named All Gulf States Conference team while at NSC. He married Rosalind Jeans in July 1959. They had their first child, Neal, in April 1960. Their second child, Yvonne, was born in April 1962. Joe graduated from NSC with a bachelor’s degree in 1962.
David J. Rolczynski
1942 ~ 2024
Captain David Joseph Rolczynski, 81, of Enumclaw, Washington, died peacefully at home July 30, 2024. He was born November 1, 1942 in Missoula, Montana to parents Joseph and Jean Rolczynski.
Dave led an extraordinary life, filled with love for his family and friends, a career that took him around the world, and a thirst for knowledge that shaped his entire life.
Dave was a curious kid. From asking his friend’s mom for her oatmeal cookie recipe at 4 years old, to disassembling his parents’ clocks, building ham radios from spare parts, and even attempting to make grenades in the basement, Dave loved anything exciting and mechanical. He thrived on the satisfaction of learning how the world works. As a teen, he built hot rods to drive his friends around, and after conquering automobiles, his next goal was to build an airplane!
William Marchessault
1948 ~ 2024
William "Bill" Marchessault, age 75, NWA Flight Attendant and RNPA Member, died July 25, 2024 from complications with Lewy Body Dementia. Bill is survived by sister Tessa, brothers Patrick, Steve and John, many nieces and nephews, an abundance of cousins, and an amazingly large group of loving friends. Bill is the eldest of seven children of Bob and Marge who made Minnesota their home after Bill's birth in California.
Raised in Bloomington, he was in the first graduating class of Kennedy High School, served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, and later earned an Associate Degree in Business at Normandale College.
Bill joined Northwest Airlines in 1973, when men were just beginning to work as flight attendants. Using his business background, with approval of the airlines, he developed a line of NWA logoed accessories and clothing which became a must have by the company employees. He continued his career as Northwest merged with Delta Airlines and retired after 47 years as a flight attendant. Bill was a collector of artifacts from the 30s,40s and 50s, including items from NWA's past, which prompted him to become one of the founding members of The Northwest Airlines History Center where he served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for 20 years.
Bill was always a gentleman, kind to everyone, dressed impeccably, had a great sense of humor, and would do anything to contribute to the well-being of his family and friends. Bill has packed his bags one last time for a non-return layover with our Creator. Our loss is great, but we have gained an angel in heaven to help guide us. Bill is preceded in death by his father Robert, mother Margery, sister Mary Ann, and brother Michael.
Memorials preferred to Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Northwest Airlines History Center at 10100 Flying Cloud Drive, STE A306, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. A memorial Service was held on August 08, 2024.
To send flowers to the family of William James Marchessault, please visit Tribute Store.
(-Marchessault family)
Floyd L. Creekmore
1940 - 2023
Captain Floyd Larry Creekmore passed away December 27, 2023, in Kalispell at the age of 83. Julie Ann, his loving wife and soul mate of 57 years, passed away at the age of 80, less than four months later, on April 15th at their home on Echo Lake.
In 2019, Larry underwent surgery in Kalispell for a neuroendocrine tumor located in his small intestine. Sadly, the initial surgery involved numerous complications which required many subsequent surgeries leaving him in an ICU stay for 8 weeks, plus an additional four weeks at the Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital before finally returning home. For the next four and half years, he battled the resulting complications of his many surgeries. He was a true fighter until the end.
Julie Ann was a tremendous caregiver and took wonderful care of Larry during those four and half years. She was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer) a month after Larry's passing and was gone less than three months later. Larry and Julie Ann were amazing people who touched so many lives of those who knew them. They will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
James Philip Miller
1943 ~ 2022
Captain Philip Miller, age 79. Philip was born in Chinook, Montana to Henry and Marguerite Miller, the eldest of three children. The family moved to the Kona Ranch outside of Missoula, Montana in 1957.
A precocious boy, he would pack into the Bitterroot Mountains on horseback spending several days tending to his many traps. Or he could be found in the cowboy bunkhouse tearing into an in-operative radio or television set. His father had worked for Lockheed pre-WW II. There was always an airplane around the ranch, and someone to “give the kid” a ride. Later, Philip would log flying hours over that same terrain while spotting cattle that had wandered away from the herd.
Employment at Johnson’s Flying Services in Missoula, Montana enabled Philip to pay for his initial flight training and earn his private license shortly after his 16th Birthday. His passion for flying had begun. The time spent in the cockpit nurtured his eagerness to become an airline pilot, along with his desire to sit in the left seat of “the biggest and the best”. From a PA-11 Cub to the “Queen of the Skies”, he never surrendered that goal. He returned to Johnson’s building more flight time in one of the front seats of the C-47 (DC-3) firefighting, hauling cargo, and spraying for insects…
He attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana and the US Naval Academy in Maryland. His time at Annapolis was cut short with the untimely death of his father. Returning to Montana to work the ranch and fulfill several government road building projects, he graduated from Montana State University in 1965, remaining in the US Navy reserve until 1967.
David Phillips Good
1942 – 2024
Captain David Good, age 82, passed away at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, Florida on January 27, 2024. Dave was born in Minneapolis, MN, on January 8, 1942, before moving to Pittsburgh during WWII and then on to Chicago after WWII. Dave’s younger brother, Bill, was born in Pittsburgh because their father worked for Westinghouse on the Manhattan Project. They both grew up in Chicago and attended North Park Academy. Dave graduated in 1960 and Bill in 1963. Both were competitive athletes and won many medals and trophies as speed skaters. Dave was the best big brother imaginable.
After a short tenure in community college, Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1961. He completed USMC basic training at the Recruit Depot at San Diego, CA. Thereafter, he was sent to NAS Memphis for Avionics Technician training. While there he learned about and applied for the Marine Aviation Cadet (MARCAD) program. He was eventually accepted into Naval Aviator Training as a MARCAD. This training was all conducted in Pensacola and included the T-34 at NAS Saufley, the T-28 at NAS Whiting, followed by multi-engine and instrument training in the TC-45J back at NAS Saufley.
Gary Grant McGahuey
1941 ~ 2013
Captain Gary McGahuey, age 82, passed away on December 24, 2023. Before moving to The Villages [Central Florida] more than 20 years ago, he lived in Minnesota, where he was a pilot for Northwest Airlines.
Gary joined NWA on July 10, 1967. Throughout his 35-year career at Northwest, he flew every airplane model the airline had, before retiring as a Captain of 747s. Prior to becoming a commercial airline pilot, Gary served in the Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.
While his career had him very busy traveling around the world, he found time to serve on the Woodbury Parks and Recreation Commission. In his role he advocated for new parks in the community and helped design a new golf course, a sport he enjoyed throughout his life.
Gary thoroughly enjoyed living in The Villages. Here he was very active golfing, both playing and umpiring softball, and running. In fact, he completed his first marathon at age 70.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Clarine, his kids, Clarissa and Grant, his son-in-law, Matthew, and his grandkids, Caryss and Logan.
( - McGahuey Family)
Bill Current
1940 ~ 2023
Captain Bill Current, age 83, of Bloomington, MN passed away unexpectedly on October 17th, 2023. Bill was the youngest of three children born to William and Bertha Current in Harrisonville MO. His father was employed by TWA as a mechanic.
As a high school student Bill was highly focused on football. After high school graduation Bill enrolled at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. The college is a church school and was founded in 1849. As a college student Bill concentrated on physics and football. Upon graduation, with his college degree in hand, Bill began a career as a high school physics teacher. However, passions for flying were still calling.
It must have been difficult on a teacher’s salary, but somehow Bill acquired his FAA licenses and accumulated the flight time needed for airline employment. His fortitude paid off on September 5, 1967, the he began his 32 year career with Northwest Airlines.
Bob Jondahl
1923 ~ 2023
Captain Robert Jondahl, age 100, passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at his home in Edina, MN. Bob was born Nov. 25, 1923, in Glasgow, Mont., to Norwegian immigrants Sverre and Tomine Jondahl. He had one sibling, a younger brother Leonard Jondahl.
In his youth he helped his parents in the Jondahl Bakery, however, by high school age you couldn't keep him away from the local airport. Flying became his lifelong passion, earning his CAA Private Pilot's license from the Etchart-Markle Flying School at age 16. After graduating from Glasgow High School, Bob attended the Helena School of Aeronautics. Completing his intended training at Helena, Bob moved south to Billings for instrument flight training. Billings turned out to be a great resource for Bob, there he acquired his CAA Commercial Pilot License, Instrument Rating, plus an Instructor Rating. With his CAA certificates in hand, Bob set out to acquire flight time instructing at various flying operations in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Wayne Spohn
1932 ~ 2024
Captain Wayne Spohn, age 91, passed away at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington. He was born in Niles, KS and after his parents moved to a farm near Culver, KS, he attended grade and high school there. Wayne was a good student; he especially enjoyed sports and spent no small amount of time at home doing farm chores. There were eight children in the Spohn family, Wayne was in the middle of the clan, and they all grew up on the Kansas farm.
Wayne wanted to be a Navy pilot and in pursuit of that objective he joined the Navy Reserve program at Olathe, KS while attending Kansas Wesleyan University. In August 1954, after two years of college, Wayne entered USN active duty as a Naval Aviation Cadet. His military and flight training began at the traditional NAS Pensacola, FL. After primary flight training, Wayne was transferred to NAS Hutchinson in Kansas for advanced flight training. At NAS Hutchinson he acquired his USN Commission and Navy pilot “wings of gold”. After his initial active-duty assignments, Wayne stayed in the Navy Reserve program retiring as a Commander.
Keith L. Deaver
1923 ~ 2023
Captain Keith Deaver, age 100, died on December 23, 2023. Keith was born on July 6, 1923 on his grandfather’s farm in Nebraska in the same house where his mother was born. He was raised in Des Moines, Iowa but from the time he was 12 years old, he would spend two months at his grandfather’s farm in Nebraska each summer. His job there was herding the milk cows along the rural roads for feed, helping with the milking twice a day, and helping with other jobs especially during haying and grain threshing times. He also kept his grandmother supplied with corn cobs for the cook stove.
Chane Howard
1940 ~ 2023
Captain Chane C. Howard, age 83, passed June 29th, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Chane was born on April 6, 1940 in Idaho. His father was US Army Colonel Ward C. Howard of Washington. His mother was Martha K. Howard of Idaho.
Chane graduated from high school in Joliet, Illinois. It was during high school that Chane met his future wife, Judith “Judy” Hord. Straight out of High School Chane went to Washington D.C.'s Sullivan School, a military academy and college prep school and then attended Penn State University. Like many of his Northwest Airlines (NWA) colleagues, Chane opted to enter the Naval Aviation Cadet Program (NAVCAD) at NAS Pensacola Florida. His initial military and basic flight training were completed at NAS Pensacola, but his specific jet and multiengine flight training followed at NAS Meridian Mississippi, and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Chane was awarded his wings and gold bars at NAS Corpus Christi.
Stephen D. Towle
1932 ~ 2023
NWA Captain, Stephen D. Towle, age 91, of Orono, MN passed away on December 14, 2023. Born on June 16, 1932, in Winnetka, IL, he was the third child of Julia and Julius Towle. Steve grew up in Winnetka, Illinois, and graduated from New Trier High School. During his teen age years, he earned the Eagle Scout rating. He also earned a degree at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA, while completing the Air Force ROTC program at Coe College. Upon college graduation Steve was commissioned a 2/Lt. in the US Air Force.
After completing USAF pilot training and earning his silver wings, Steve was further trained in the F-89 Northrup Scorpion as required to be a fighter interceptor pilot for the Air Defense Command (ADC). ADC assigned Steve to Otis AFB at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. During this era, the fighter interceptor crews on the Atlantic coast saw their share of hostile intercepts provoked by Soviet probes of our air defenses. His fellow pilot and wingman, Chuck Leonard, said that in the Air Force, “No one ranked above him in terms of skillful performance as an aviator.”
Chuck Rogers
1942 ~ 2024
Captain Charles Stanley Rogers II, age 82, was born on March 12, 1942, in Jersey City, NJ to loving parents Blanche and Charles and big sister Carol.
Growing up in Fort Lee, the backdrop of NYC, he learned that he loved family trips to remote Roscoe, NY, more than the subway ones into Manhattan. He attended the grade school across the street, saw the Yankees games with his dad and played high school basketball at All Hallows High School in the Bronx. Further afield, he attended St. Michael’s College in Vermont where his ROTC program led him to graduate as an officer in the United States Air Force.
His commission landed him in the remote border town of Laredo, TX, where he trained jet fighter pilots on the Northrop T-38 Talon. Laredo turned out to be a prime location to further the love of hunting he learned from his uncles in upstate New York, a perfect spot to test the limits of his Corvette, to taste the exquisite combo of enchiladas and a Dr. Pepper, and a great place to make enduring friendships.
Lowell Kegley
1935 ~ 2023
Captain Lowell Kegley, age 88, passed away August 29, 2023. Lowell was born in Minneapolis, MN where he spent his childhood. He attended Central High School where he was an honor roll student. In his high school yearbook he wrote, “He is truly happy who can make others happy.” Farsighted for a young man. 
Lowell met his future wife Joi Moberg in 1952 during their senior year of high school. They were married in 1955.
After high school graduation Lowell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for three years as an aircraft engine mechanic, primarily on the early carrier-based jet ighter – the Grumman F-9F Panther. While in service, Lowell was awarded National Defense Service, Korean Service and United Nations Service Medals. Returning to the U.S., Lowell set about learning fly using his Korean War G.I. Bill benefits. He acquired a CFI rating and later instructed at Chrystal Airport. Once Lowell acquired the FAA licenses and flight time needed for employment, Lowell began his long climb toward a major airline career working for ZanTop and Eastern Airlines.
Ralph Kisor
1937 ~ 2024
Captain Ralph Edward Kisor, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. His last days were spent in Eau Claire, Wisconsin under the care of Beehive Homes and St. Croix Hospice.
Ralph was born on March 12, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio to Clarence and Ruth (Milstead) Kisor. The family was later joined by his brother Ronald and sister Betty Ann. In the spring of 1955 Ralph graduated from North Robinson High School; North Robinson is a small town located 7 miles east of Bucyrus, Ohio. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force, forgoing a scholarship at Ohio State University. He served as a Radio Intercept Analysis Operator at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska until 1959.
Samuel Lev
1938 ~ 2023
Captain Samuel Raymond “Sam” Lev, age 85, died peacefully at home in Shelton, WA, on December 19, 2023, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Sam was the youngest of three children born to Edwin Samuel Lev and Violet Myrtle Kittleson in Sheboygan, WI.
Sam graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1957 and attended the University of Wisconsin and Whitewater State University. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1961, attended Naval Flight School at Pensacola, completed flight training, and qualified for aircraft carrier landings. As a Naval Aviator, he flew missions in the A-1 Skyraider off the aircraft carrier “Ranger” and the A-4 Skyhawk off the aircraft carrier “Intrepid” earning the rank of Lieutenant and various medals during his service.
After resigning his commission in 1968, he and his family moved to Minneapolis, MN for Northwest Airlines training, then onto Seattle, WA. There he continued his flying career, piloting both domestic and international flights.
Cline Preble
1942 ~ 2023
Captain Theodore Cline Preble, age 81. On Wednesday night, November 23rd, 2023, Cline Preble, dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend flew on angels wings to wait for us in one of the Lord’s “many mansions.” He is, no doubt, up there fixing something, taking care of someone and telling one of his many flying stories. To put into language the degree he will be missed in our world is not possible. He was everything to each of us.…suffice it to say he was the ultimate protector, leader, mentor, pilot, instructor, and always there for those who needed him. He leaves an enormous hole.
Cline began his life in Oklahoma in 1942, just missing being a New Year’s gift to parents Ted, an attorney for the Federal Reserve Bank, and Ethel, a high school teacher, on December 30. He had a happy, busy life in Oklahoma City, where he experienced his first flight lessons at Northwest Classen high school with his physics instructor…can you believe a high school with its own airplane? He spent his college years at Oklahoma State University, where he was the captain of the rifle team and took the group to many competitions all over the US, including the National Championships. While at OSU he met and married the love of his life, his wife, Judy. After graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army and they moved to Columbus, Georgia, where he became the youngest instructor on the Small Arms Committee in the US Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. While there he and Judy welcomed their baby son, Kevin, into their lives.
Donald L. Jurries
1938 ~ 2023
Captain Donald L. Jurries, age 85, died on December 17, 2023 from a traumatic brain injury after a fall. Don was born in Northfield, Minnesota to parents Grace and Lewis Jurries. He was the fourth of five children and the only son. Don’s father was a farmer. They owned a farm in Castle Rock, MN, growing onions and potatoes. His father and mother were repeatedly fined and threatened jail time for feeding the German POWs who labored on the farm during WWII. The POWs were interned at Shakopee, MN.
Don attended Northfield High School where he was a good student and an excellent football player. His budding interest in flying was encouraged by taking flying lessons at Stanton Airfield, east of Northfield. Stanton Field established a legacy for excellence prior to WWII through their government funded CPT (Civilian Pilot Training) program. College students from St. Olaf College and Carleton College were the mainstay of the program. Don inherited that legacy all while also assisting his parents by carrying out farm chores at home.
Dennis C. Kearns
1941 ~ 2023
Captain Dennis C. Kearns, age 82, passed peacefully at home on November 16, 2023. Dennis was born on August 22, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio to Jack and Lucille Kearns. He had one sibling, his younger brother Tom Kearns.
Denny was a graduate of Independence High School of Independence, Ohio. As a high school student Denny enjoyed participating in school theater and general aviation flying.
He began flying in an Aeronca Champ in high school and earned his FAA Private Pilot license before his state driver’s license.
When he enrolled at Miami University of Ohio, it is no surprise that Denny also enrolled in Air Force ROTC. The path toward aviation was preset long before he entered college. The photo below is of Dennis in his early teens with his father and his collection of airline brochures, models, and aviation maps.
Jack A. Ingersoll
1927 ~ 2023
NWA pilot Jack A. Ingersoll, age 96, of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023. Jack was a 1945 graduate of Marshall High School; he went on to proudly serve in both the Merchant Marines and the United States Air Force.
Jack was hired by Northwest Airlines on October 12, 1948, as an equipment service agent, to later serve as a licensed mechanic and Crew Chief. He would later serve as a Flight Engineer. Jack was one of the Flight Engineers who acquired FAA pilot ratings and moved into the right seat as copilot. He served NWA for 39 years, retiring from Northwest Airlines on March 3, 1987.
Known as a man who honored his faith, Jack was a member and leader at Lynnhurst Congregational United Church of Christ in Minneapolis and volunteered his time with Meals on Wheels. He also loved to travel the world. Jack led his family by examples of love, strength, dignity, and integrity. When it is our time to see Jack again, we believe it will be with a smile and his boisterous “Howdy!”
Proceed in death by his wife Amber of 50 years, his sister Carol Jean, and lifelong friends George and Margie Minarik. Survived by his children, David (Lilly), Kathryn, Janet (Glen) and William, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family is grateful to Park Nicollet Hospice and everyone at Friendship Village.
(- The Ingersoll Family & Bill Day)
Claude John Benedict
1938 ~ 2023
Captain Claude John Benedict, age 85, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2023, surrounded by family. Claude was born April 23, 1938, to Ralph and Anna Benedict in St. Louis, MO.
Claude graduated from McBride High School in 1955 and went on to study engineering at St. Louis University. Following college Claude was commissioned into the Navy where he trained as a Naval Aviator in Pensacola and Kingsville. Upon earning his wings, his orders took him to Okinawa, Japan. Before leaving the states, he married the love of his life, Eloise on January 5, 1963, whom he had known for many years, first meeting her when he would deliver groceries to her family in St. Louis. They celebrated 60 years of marriage earlier this year!
David K. Miller
1941 ~ 2023
Captain David K. Miller, age 82, passed away on Aug. 28, 2023 from complications related to Alzheimer’s. David was born in East Peoria, Illinois to Herman Charles and Clara Marie Miller (Gustmann). The only son, he was the youngest of three siblings. David’s father worked at the huge Caterpillar assembly plant in Peoria.
David attended East Peoria High School. During these years music became a big part of his life. In high school he performed with the school choir, the school musical theater, and played trumpet in the school band. David also played baseball and stayed active with Boy Scouts.
Immediately after high school, Dave enlisted into the Air Fore and was trained as an aircraft mechanic. Most of his four-year enlistment was spent at Altus AFB, OK where he served as a mechanic on B-52s and KC-135s. He separated from active duty as an Airman First Class.
David married Judith Ann (Seppelt) on September 1, 1962 (living) while still on Air Force active duty. The couple would give birth to and parent two children, Amy Marie (Maldonado) born November 29, 1967 (living) and Matthew James Miller born February 16, 1970 (living).
Gary C. Thompson
1936 ~ 2023
Captain Gary C. Thompson, age 86, passed away in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on July 17, 2023. Gary was born on December 7, 1936 at the hospital in Breckenridge, MN to Clarence ‘Butch’ and Esther Thompson. The family resided across the Minnesota/South Dakota state line in remote Rosholt, SD where his father worked as a butcher and his mother a schoolteacher. Gary was the oldest of three siblings.
Family lore reports that Gary didn’t set the world on fire as a student but was a noteworthy athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball. He was also reputed to be a good singer and appeared in school plays. 
Gary entered Concordia College in the fall of 1954 on a football scholarship where he played football until suffering a severe concussion. A year later he dropped out of college and pursued entry into the military.