~ IN MEMORY ~

September 24, 1938 – May 11, 2021

From family members comes this sad news with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Michael Lewis Melton Jr., age 82.  Captain Melton joined Western Airlines 07-15-1968 and retired with Delta Airlines in 1998, based LAX/030.  He is survived by his wife Diane plus many close and dear family members.

To view the obituary and share memories online please visit the funeral home website at Lohman Funeral Homes

For those wishing to send a personal note, we see the family’s address listed in whitepages as
4630 Harbour Village Blvd Unit 1407,  Ponce Inlet, FL 32127-7266

A celebration of life event is planned for May 25^th

Obituary  :  Michael Lewis Melton Jr. of Ponce Inlet, Florida passed away on May 11, 2021 in Ponce Inlet. A celebration of life will be May 25, 2021, 3 p.m. at the Halifax River Yacht Club.

Michael Melton was born September 24, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to Gladys and Michael Melton. Michael went to high school at Princess Anne High School in Lynnhaven, Virginia where he was a regional basketball star and graduated June 7, 1956. He then attended college at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree on June 10, 1962. After graduation from college, Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force, completing pilot training school May 13, 1964 at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. While stationed at Reese AFB, Michael met Dianne who was attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock. They dated and then married August 22, 1964 in Norfolk, Virginia.

Michael served in the United States Air Force for almost six years. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving two tours flying C-130s where he earned the Air Medal with 1st through 4th Oak Clusters. Michael always considered it a high honor to have served his country. He then went into the commercial airline industry flying commercially both domestic & international, first for Western Airlines then Delta Airlines. Michael was an accomplished flyer, motorcyclist, & boater – pursuits he approached with his competent yet fun, loving style. Michael and Dianne loved living on the water here in Ponce Inlet. They met wonderful friends and enjoyed time on their boat here. They loved to travel, lived all over the world, and spent lots of time on the ocean with friends. He will be greatly missed.

Michael Melton was preceded in death by his mother Gladys Melton and father Michael Melton as well as his in-loves Marie and Audie Taylor.

Michael Melton is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Dianne Melton,  brother-in-law Dr. Donald C Taylor and his wife Nancy Taylor, his niece Lauren Tidmore and her husband Matthew Tidmore, grandnieces Julia and Allie Tidmore, nephew Craig Taylor and his wife Tiffany Taylor and grandnephews Hayes and Jack Taylor.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Halifax River Yacht Club and Loman Funeral Home. We would also like to thank Mike and Dianne’s close friends for loving them and assisting us.

Thanks to Carol Faulkner for passing this to The Wallybird

Dick’s wife, Mary advised me this afternoon that Dick’s surgeon, Doctor Sinjay Dkarr, declared his surgery to have been successful ! Dick will remain at UCSF Medical Center for a few days and then will return to Woodlands Healthcare Center for rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Richard A. (Dick) Deeds, prompted by his love for the traditions of Western Airlines and those men and women who are a part of them, single handedly organized and founded The Wallybird which has helped to sustain the bond of those of us who so fondly remember that ugly but lovable old big-beaked bird.

In addition, he and his son Ken built and have continued to maintain this, the Wallybird website, which we enjoy here today.

Some may not be aware that Dick had been in extremely poor health due to a serious heart condition. A recent fall damaged some upper vertebrae and nerves causing some paralysis. Dick has been in a “holding Pattern” since then pending consultations with his proposed surgeon and that surgeon’s trusted cardiologist. If the two doctors agree, Dick may undergo the VERY SERIOUS surgery he asked for next Thursday, May 6th. He will be moved to the UCSF facility this Monday.

My Judicial Watch calendar indicates that May 6th is the National Day Of Prayer. How coincidental. Let us pray for a successful surgery for Dick.

We regret to announce (belatedly) the passing of WA/DL Captain John Henry Miltner

February 24, 1936 – June 1, 2019

Captain Miltner joined Western Airlines 05-26-1969 and retired from Delta Airlines inn 1996.

Obituary information is available at:

https://www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com/obituary/John-Miltner

Captain Miltner had resided in Thailandprior to the time of his passing. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and his siblings.

There were no services.

See also:

https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/04/wadl-capt-john-henry-miltner.html

WA/DL Captain Peter ‘Pete’ Bonofiglio, Jr, born August 1, 1934, flew West on January 23, 2021.

Born in New York state, Pete married Martha Miller in 1963. He joined Western airlines on August 29, 1966 and

retired in August 1994 from his base at 030/SLC.

Pete was widowed in October 2015 with the passing of his wife, Martha.

Thanks, once again, to Carol Faulkner for this information.

We invite anyone with additional information about Pete and his family to please share it.

The link below reveals a bit more about Pete’s start as an airline pilot and his off line flying:

https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/04/wadl-capt-peter-pete-bonofiglio-jr.html

Curt Taylor has reserved Thursday, 15 July as a TENTATIVE date for our next Wallybird Luncheon.

Stay tuned and maybe we will see one another then, like old times.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Captain James Patrick Gallagher

June 9, 1937 – March 23, 2021

Word has reached us with news of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Jim Gallagher, age 83.  Captain Gallagher joined Western Airlines 02-03-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1997, based 030/SLC at the time of retirement.  He is survived by his wife Judy, his children, and his grandchildren.   Obituary information is available for viewing online at The Salt Lake Tribune and at Starks Funeral Parlor and Echovita.

Condolences may be sent to the family at:

4757 S Ichabod St.,  Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN  

PCN Obituary

Jim Gallagher passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2021 due to complications from a stroke. He was born on June 9, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI to Bernice Casper and George Kugel. He was adopted as an infant by James and Mary Gallagher and grew up in Green Bay with his siblings Judee and Michael. Jim graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1962 and was stationed in Dover, DE, Newfoundland, Canada, and Nashville, TN. In 1964, while shopping for a car in Washington, D.C. he met and married the love of his life, Judy Pier, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. They have been happily married for 56 years. 

After leaving the Air Force in 1969, Jim joined Western Airlines and moved his family to Los Angeles, CA. There he joined the Lotus West car club and spent many weekends with Judy winning slalom races in his Lotus Super 7. Jim had an Illustrious barbershop singing experience. He sang in over 10 quartets singing with the Beehive Statesmen, BQPA, and Tri-W. He regularly attended the annual Harmony College convention to share his love of singing. Through these hobbies, he made many lifelong friendships across the country. In 1982, Jim and Judy moved their family from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. At age 60, Jim retired from Delta Airlines and spent the next ten years skiing at Solitude with the FOGS “as many days in the ski season as his age.” He loved the outdoor life in Utah, biking, hiking, and stargazing. Jim and Judy spent their marriage traveling to all the US states and over 50 countries. In their later adventures, they befriended a travel group and made many memories together. Jim was “Mr. Fix-It”, known throughout the community as the go-to man for any problem.  He will be missed for his selfless support of his friends, neighbors, and children for all their house and car repairs.  

Later in life, Jim was fortunate to be reunited with his birth mother, Bernice, and 3 siblings. Many happy trips and reunions resulted from this connection and filled Jim and his family’s hearts with more love than thought possible. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 56 years, his five children, Peter, David (Miriam), Debra, Daniel, and Katie Thomas (Chris), ten grandchildren, Robert, James, Ethan, Hailey, Lauren, Lindsay, Henry, Caroline, Sidney, and Ella. Jim is also survived by his siblings Jim Kugel (Kris), Joan Collins (Bob), Frank Kugel (Debbie), brother-in-law Philip Pier (Alice) and many nieces and nephews.  

A celebration of Jim’s life will be on Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.

From Bruce:

Hi Dick and Paul,

Just FYI — I had a call from Bill Dickenson yesterday.  He told me that his neighbor in Santa Rosa, Dick McMahon, disappeared several months ago and he just learned that Dick had passed away.  For some reason I don’t think that his name ever appeared on the WallyBird notifications and I wonder if you knew.  It’s sad that in this last year with all the Covid lockdowns, several of our guys have dropped through the cracks. Thanks for all that you do to keep us informed. 

Bruce 

I received the lfollowing mmessage from Greg Childs. As soon as I get any futrher info I will pass it along,.

Dick

I have learned WAL Pilot Tony Akelis doied in New York city after as short illiness.

Greg Childs

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ukiahdailyjournal/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-peterman&pid=197800759  also at 

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/joseph-peterman-obituary?pid=197800759

Obituary information tells us that no services are planned….please see below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary  :  Joseph Anthony Peterman passed away peacefully at home on 1/28/2021, at the age of 84.  Joe was born and raised in Pine Lawn, Missouri – a suburb of St. Louis. He had a very adventurous spirit. He spent many hours of his youth boating out on the Mississippi River in a powered canoe, camping during the winter season and spending time with his dog Smokey. He took long bike rides to the Lambert-St. Louis Airport to watch the planes come and go … always dreaming of flying above the clouds.

Joe joined the USMCR in 1956, entered into the Naval Flight School as a Cadet and left the military in 1964 as 1st Lieutenant. He flew on many unpublished missions that included China, Vietnam and Cuba.  He continued his flying career by joining the team at Western Airlines in 1966. He stayed on board when the company merged with Delta Air Lines and retired in 1990. Between the Marine Corp and Western / Delta, Joe had the opportunity of flying all over the world! Because of his experience, he was an avid reader of world history, politics, religion and current events.

Joe moved his residency from the Ukiah area to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002, but always found time to travel back to Redwood Valley, CA to spend time with his life partner Sharon Deckman. They enjoyed RV traveling from coast to coast with the ultimate road trip to Alaska – exploring the countryside from the ground instead of by air.

Joe is survived by his life partner of 22 years, Sharon Lynn, his wonderful fur ball companion Tommie Latte’, his daughter Gina Buchner, son-in-law Bill Buchner of Yuba City, CA, granddaughter Kayla Lewis of Auburn, CA, grandson Anthony Buchner of Pullman, WA, and his sister Fran Wood, brother-in-law Jim Wood of Spring Hill, KS. His brothers

Eugene Peterman, Tom Peterman, sisters Ann Peterman, Helen Phippen and Evelyn Peterman preceded his death.

We are so grateful to all of our friends, family, doctors and Hospice of Ukiah for being a part of Joe’s support system over the last many years. A very special thank you to Leah Middleton RN, Susan Klimist-Zingo PAC, Glenda Box LVN, Michael Young DO and James O’Dorisio MD of Ukiah, CA, Patrick Delvin MD and Robert Anderson MD of Santa Rosa, CA.

No services are planned. Donations in Joe’s memory can be sent to Hospice of Ukiah in Ukiah, CA

or City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Until we meet again!