Saturday ObitsCoyote |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1405 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Saturday Obits https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/ The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. HALLUM .. .. .. James Roy Hallum, 85, of Atkins, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at his home. He was born November 29, 1940, in Galla Rock, Ark., to the late Roy and Mary Hill Hallum. James enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 where he served as a Fire Control Technician aboard the submarines USS John Marshall and USS Corporal, based out of Groton, Conn. Following his discharge in 1968, he returned to Arkansas, where he worked as an engineer for Southwestern Bell for 35 years. James loved to read, mow, travel with his family, and attend his grandkids events. He was also a big Razorback fan. He was a member of St. Joe Free Will Baptist Church in Atkins for over 20 years and was very actively involved in church ministry in Atkins and Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, David Hallum and Paul Hallum. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Reynolds Hallum; daughters, Kim Stewart (Dave) and Celeste DeLeuil (Michael); grandchildren, Chris Stewart (Holly), Audrey Harviel (Matthew), Isabella DeLeuil, and Jaime DeLeuil; great-grandchildren, Zayden Stewart, Zavier Stewart, Paisleigh Harviel, and Peyton Harviel; niece, Stephanie Boyd; nephew, Clark Wright (Kecia); and host of other family and friends. THROM .. .. .. Frederick John Throm, age 79, of Mattoon passed away on February 4, 2026 at Mattoon Healthcare. A graveside memorial service honoring his life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family. Fred was born on December 12, 1946 in Mattoon, the son of John and Willadean (Walling) Throm. He married Rosemary Pearl Rutherford on March 14, 1974. She preceded him in death on August 25, 2023. Survivors include his children, Kristen (Angela) Throm, Georganna (Robert) Dalipi, and Pam (Ken) Chambers; grandchildren, Justin (Rose) Armes, Nick Jones, Zack Jones, Tyler Chambers, and Arek Chambers; great-grandchildren, Leah, Harper and Virginia Armes; siblings, Tina (Michael) Fiorini, Syma (Turi) Cervone, and Paula Curl; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Fred was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Patrick Throm. Fred proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 20 years, including dedicated service in the submarine force. He was very proud of his grandsons who followed his tradition of serving in the Navy. After his military retirement, Fred continued to serve his community as the owner of Mattoon Motor Shop, where he was a trusted and hardworking presence for more than 40 years. Fred found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, tending his garden, hunting, and especially sharing river fishing trips with his grandsons. As one friend shared, "Mattoon has lost one of its most colorful characters." McMAHON .. .. .. Thomas Timothy McMahon, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 25, 2026, at the age of 93. His life was one of courage, faith, sacrifice, and quiet devotion to both his family and his country. Thomas was born on September 5, 1932, in New York City, New York, to Joseph Thomas and Christine Landher McMahon. His early childhood was spent in the lower east side of Manhattan and later in the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of upper Manhattan. Thomas's young life was marked by hardship, defined by remarkable resilience. In 1940, at just eight years old, he and his younger brother Robert were placed in the Bethlehem Children's Home of Staten Island, operated by the Lutheran Church, Missouri-Synod. He lived there for seven formative years. After his mother, remarried, Thomas and his brother moved to Lorain, Ohio, where a new chapter began. At the age of 16, Thomas joined the United States Navy. He completed his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, Illinois, and was selected to attend submarine school in New London, Connecticut. Upon qualifying, he was assigned aboard the submarine USS Pickerel, stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During a training dive, the submarine experienced difficulty surfacing, and descended below its certified depth. This life- changing experience changed him and deepened Thomas's faith and strengthened his spiritual convictions. Born Roman Catholic and raised in a Lutheran orphanage. In a moment that would shape his eternal future, he stepped off a bus searching for a Lutheran congregation, but instead found a congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There he met Geraldine Higuchi, a recent convert. Their shared faith blossomed into love, and they were married for time and all eternity on June 6, 1952, in the Laie Hawaii Temple. After six years of enlisted service, Thomas attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E-5). Thomas left the Navy to pursue higher education at Brigham Young University, graduating in 1957, and earning a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he was accepted into Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and upon graduation was commissioned as an Ensign (O-1) in the United States Navy. Thomas completed extensive military training, including underwater demolition and scuba school. Though his greatest wish was to return to submarine service as an officer, the Navy's transition from diesel- electric to nuclear- powered submarines, led him to the surface fleet, where he served aboard a destroyer stationed in Long Beach, California. His career later led him into Naval Intelligence, with assignments, both in the United States and overseas, including Japan, where he received the distress call of the USS Pueblo, and in support of Military Assistance Command Vietnam. (MAC-V). Over the course of his distinguished 28 – year naval career, Thomas rose steadily through the ranks, achieving the rank of Commander. He was a proud veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. Having first served as an enlisted sailor, and later, as a commissioned officer, he was respected as a " Mustang," an officer who has risen through the enlisted ranks. He wore his silver dolphins with pride, and his Good Conduct medal. He retired from the United States Navy at the age of 48, having served his country with honor, courage, and humility. Following his retirement, Thomas, Geraldine and the girls moved to Provo, Utah, where Thomas attended Utah Technical College for additional training and worked for Kofford trucking before accepting a calling as head custodian of the Provo Utah stake, where he served faithfully for many years. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, Thomas was called and served as a Seventy and served in many callings, including Bishop, High Councilman, Stake Sunday School Presidency, home teacher and ordinance worker in the Seattle temple. One of his most cherished callings was ministering to inmates at the Wells Correctional Facility in Wells, Nevada, where his compassion and testimony touched many lives. Thomas and Geraldine shared a deep love of travel and adventure. They filled their lives with family road trips, camping excursions, and traveled throughout the United States and Canada. Thomas had a curious and inventive spirit and loved technology, gadgets, folding boats, bicycles, cameras, and exploring new ideas. At age 79, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by embarking on a two-month freight voyage, cruise through the Suez Canal and into China, stopping at many ports along the way and embracing adventure even in his later years. In Geraldine's later years, as her health declined due to Alzheimer's disease, Thomas cared for her devotedly in Gig Harbor, Washington. After her passing, he remained there for several years before moving to Lindon, Utah, to spend his final years, surrounded by family. Despite the challenges of dementia, his gentle spirit, quiet strength, and deep love for his family remained evident to all who knew him. Thomas is survived by four children: Dr. J. Thomas McMahon (Commander, USN Retired) of Gig Harbor, Washington; Dave McMahon (JoAnne) Lake Arrowhead, California; Erin (Kent Zabriskie) of Lindon, Utah; and Kathleen (Lee Eggertsen) of Pleasant Grove, Utah. 10 grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents; wife, Geraldine and Brother Robert. | ||
