This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WESTERDAHL, SECENBAUGH, GERRELS, MIDDLERIDER, LISINSKI Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3BC.2ACE/1853 Message Board Post: Melvin A. Westerdahl Melvin A. Westerdahl died at Woodland Memorial Hospital Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at age 86. Born June 15, 1916, in Spokane, Wash., Mr. Westerdahl was the son of Auctor and Hattie L. (Sencenbaugh) Westerdahl. He attended grammar and high schools in Spokane, Wash. and then completed his undergraduate degree in Old English and Education, at the University of Idaho, Moscow, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, graduating in 1940. Enlisting in the U.S. Army in December 1940, he was first assigned to aircraft pilot training at Lindbergh Field, and then attended bombardier training for the B-17 aircraft at Langley Field, Va. and then advanced bombardier courses at Barksdale Field, La. After completing his training and commissioned as a second Lieutenant and flight officer, he was assigned to the 9th Bomber Squadron, 7th Bomber Group, at Karachi Army Air Force Base, India (now Pakistan) from January 1942 to September 1944. It was at this time, as a member of the Army Air Corps that he was part of missions flown in the "China-Burma-India Theater of Operations." After returning to the continental United States in 1945, Captain Westerdahl was assigned to the 822nd Army Air Force Base Unit, assigned to Maywood (Los Angeles) and was placed in charge of the B-25 maintenance program and supervised a staff of more than 250 civilian personnel. It was in Maywood that he met his future wife, Iris Maxine (Gerrels) Westerdahl. During his military career, Mr. Westerdahl was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, the EAME Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with the India-Burma Star and five Overseas Service Bars, the National Defense Service Medal and Bombardier/Air Crew rating. He also earned the Marksman Rifleman and Gunnery Medals, qualifying with the M-1 Carbine, and both the .30 & .50 caliber machine guns. After completing service, Mel and his Iris, lived in East Los Angeles with Mr. Westerdahl working for the local gas company. They moved to Orange County in Southern California during 1955 where he began a career with Nutrilite Products (now a part of Amway). He worked as the senior purchasing agent for this firm until his retirement. The couple moved to Esparto 20 years ago with their daughter, Wendy Middlerider to join their son Dane Westerdahl who lives in Davis. He was later appointed to the Area 4 Council on Aging, helped children learn to read at Esparto's elementary school, and in developing support and funding for Esparto's new library. Mr. Westerdahl enjoyed raising exotic orchids, ferns, and begonias and was active with societies of enthusiasts of these plants while living in Southern California. He was an avid reader and doted on his horses, pet dogs and cats. He was devoted to his two grandsons, John Lisinski III of Woodland and Phillip Middlerider of Esparto. A graveside service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Capay Cemetery, Esparto, with a gathering to follow at the red "Boy Scout Cabin" at the fire station in Esparto. The community is invited to participate in both the service and the gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "Friends of the Library-Esparto" in memory of Mr. Westerdahl. Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial inquiries may be made by calling 662-4658, or by contacting www.legacy.com. (Obituary from the "The Daily Democrat," Monday, October 28, 2002, (Woodland, Yolo County, California). A photograph of Mr. Westerdahl is included with this obituary. Submitted with the permission of the "The Daily Democrat," 711 Main St., Woodland, CA 95695. Please note: I am not related to the family listed above, and I do not have any further information on this family.)