Rest In Peace, Uncle Harold.
Harold Carl Seidelman, age 100, longtime resident of Aurora, IL passed away on March 6th. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ardis A. Seidelman, his parents, and 7 brothers and sisters. Dear Father of Ronald (Betty) Seidelman, Ruthanne (the late Ken) Freund, and Richard (Laurel) Seidelman, proud Grandfather of Jeanette, Susan, Lisa, Tammy, Eric, Jennifer and Cory, great-grandfather of 12, Great Great-Grandfather of 13 and fond Uncle of 7 living nieces and nephews. Born in Oswego, IL he worked on the family farm and at Barber Green before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy, South Pacific Theater, in WWII. Harold worked at the Mooseheart power plant until retirement, was a member of New England Congregational Church, Loyal Order of the Moose, VFW and volunteered over 20 years at Copley Hospital with his wife Ardis. He will be remembered for his laughter, ready smile and ability to fix just about anything! Family and friends will gather at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery IL 60538 on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Plum Landing 495 N. Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506. Dieterle Memorial Home 630-897-1196 www.dieterlememorialhome.com
* * * * * *
Harold Seidelman – “He Gave His Best to You”
When the Ken Burns documentary “The War” first aired in 2007, I was struck by the theme song “American Anthem” which was performed by Nora Jones. The song reminded me of Dad. We played the song prior to the service but here are the words once again.
All we've been given by those who came before
the dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Each generation from the plains to distant shore, with the gifts they were given
were determined to leave more. Battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone; these are the seeds from which America has grown.
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Harold Carl Seidelman was born of German Immigrant parents in Oswego, Illinois. Because he was needed on the farm he only attended school through 8th grade. He worked on his parent’s farm and as a hired hand at other farms in the Oswego area. He took a job at Barber Green in Aurora and in 1943 was called up to serve his country. We have his handwritten Service Record.
I am guessing that he had never been out of the state of Illinois so the trip to Idaho for Navy training (yes, Idaho) must have left him astonished. After 7 weeks of training he was sent to Camp Shoemaker in Dublin, California. This Camp was also known as “Fleet City”. It served the Navy and was home to a 3,000-bed hospital and a Naval Training and Personnel Distribution Center. Today there is nothing remaining of the old Navy camp. On December 9, 1943 he sailed on the USS General John Pope. He crossed the Equator on the 18th of December and two days before Christmas on December 23rd 1943 he arrived on the island of Noumea in New Caledonia to attend firefighting school.
He reported in his log that in May 1944 he sailed on the USS Lipan to Guadalcanal and Florida Island in the Solomon Islands. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship Tank) 227. His first “engagement with enemy” was on July 15, 1944 when he was fired upon while working to pull LSTs off the beaches in the Battle of Saipan. They picked up wounded men and brought them safely to the hospital ship. His Service record says that on September 8, 1944 he was based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (New Hebrides). That is all that is entered until June 1945.
On June 12, 1945 he boarded the A.P.A. Thomas Jefferson which was a troop carrier. She sailed from her temporary base in Saipan to Pearl Harbor for a two week standby period. She eventually was moved to the (as of then) unsecured Okinawa Harbor and then departed for several weeks of almost constant switchback cruising until she arrived back in San Francisco on July 15, 1945.
Harold was sent by train to Great Lakes Naval Base where he has honorably discharged from the Navy on October 23, 1945 to begin his civilian life again.J1rt vessel.
Dad was a Fireman 1st class and a Motor Machinist 2nd class in the Navy. He was gifted in things mechanical and these were skills that served him well his in his civilian life. He did not get any medals or special recognition. He was just a “swabbie” who gave over 2 years of his young life to his country.
After he was honored as a WWII VET in 2009 at the Aurora Memorial Day Parade, he said that he got more attention on that day than when he returned from the War. In 1945 and through the ensuing years no one ever said “Thank You”. Perhaps it was the huge influx of returning veterans or the desire of civilians to bask in the relief of the war ending. But he considered his service time to be a gift to his country and it brought tears to his eyes when he spoke of it.
So we say Thank You, to our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather.
Your children say - America, America, he gave his best for you.
Harold Carl Seidelman, age 100, longtime resident of Aurora, IL passed away on March 6th. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ardis A. Seidelman, his parents, and 7 brothers and sisters. Dear Father of Ronald (Betty) Seidelman, Ruthanne (the late Ken) Freund, and Richard (Laurel) Seidelman, proud Grandfather of Jeanette, Susan, Lisa, Tammy, Eric, Jennifer and Cory, great-grandfather of 12, Great Great-Grandfather of 13 and fond Uncle of 7 living nieces and nephews. Born in Oswego, IL he worked on the family farm and at Barber Green before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy, South Pacific Theater, in WWII. Harold worked at the Mooseheart power plant until retirement, was a member of New England Congregational Church, Loyal Order of the Moose, VFW and volunteered over 20 years at Copley Hospital with his wife Ardis. He will be remembered for his laughter, ready smile and ability to fix just about anything! Family and friends will gather at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery IL 60538 on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Plum Landing 495 N. Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506. Dieterle Memorial Home 630-897-1196 www.dieterlememorialhome.com
* * * * * *
Harold Seidelman – “He Gave His Best to You”
When the Ken Burns documentary “The War” first aired in 2007, I was struck by the theme song “American Anthem” which was performed by Nora Jones. The song reminded me of Dad. We played the song prior to the service but here are the words once again.
All we've been given by those who came before
the dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Each generation from the plains to distant shore, with the gifts they were given
were determined to leave more. Battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone; these are the seeds from which America has grown.
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Harold Carl Seidelman was born of German Immigrant parents in Oswego, Illinois. Because he was needed on the farm he only attended school through 8th grade. He worked on his parent’s farm and as a hired hand at other farms in the Oswego area. He took a job at Barber Green in Aurora and in 1943 was called up to serve his country. We have his handwritten Service Record.
I am guessing that he had never been out of the state of Illinois so the trip to Idaho for Navy training (yes, Idaho) must have left him astonished. After 7 weeks of training he was sent to Camp Shoemaker in Dublin, California. This Camp was also known as “Fleet City”. It served the Navy and was home to a 3,000-bed hospital and a Naval Training and Personnel Distribution Center. Today there is nothing remaining of the old Navy camp. On December 9, 1943 he sailed on the USS General John Pope. He crossed the Equator on the 18th of December and two days before Christmas on December 23rd 1943 he arrived on the island of Noumea in New Caledonia to attend firefighting school.
He reported in his log that in May 1944 he sailed on the USS Lipan to Guadalcanal and Florida Island in the Solomon Islands. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship Tank) 227. His first “engagement with enemy” was on July 15, 1944 when he was fired upon while working to pull LSTs off the beaches in the Battle of Saipan. They picked up wounded men and brought them safely to the hospital ship. His Service record says that on September 8, 1944 he was based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (New Hebrides). That is all that is entered until June 1945.
On June 12, 1945 he boarded the A.P.A. Thomas Jefferson which was a troop carrier. She sailed from her temporary base in Saipan to Pearl Harbor for a two week standby period. She eventually was moved to the (as of then) unsecured Okinawa Harbor and then departed for several weeks of almost constant switchback cruising until she arrived back in San Francisco on July 15, 1945.
Harold was sent by train to Great Lakes Naval Base where he has honorably discharged from the Navy on October 23, 1945 to begin his civilian life again.J1rt vessel.
Dad was a Fireman 1st class and a Motor Machinist 2nd class in the Navy. He was gifted in things mechanical and these were skills that served him well his in his civilian life. He did not get any medals or special recognition. He was just a “swabbie” who gave over 2 years of his young life to his country.
After he was honored as a WWII VET in 2009 at the Aurora Memorial Day Parade, he said that he got more attention on that day than when he returned from the War. In 1945 and through the ensuing years no one ever said “Thank You”. Perhaps it was the huge influx of returning veterans or the desire of civilians to bask in the relief of the war ending. But he considered his service time to be a gift to his country and it brought tears to his eyes when he spoke of it.
So we say Thank You, to our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather.
Your children say - America, America, he gave his best for you.
Rest In Peace, Uncle Harold.
Harold Carl Seidelman, age 100, longtime resident of Aurora, IL passed away on March 6th. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ardis A. Seidelman, his parents, and 7 brothers and sisters. Dear Father of Ronald (Betty) Seidelman, Ruthanne (the late Ken) Freund, and Richard (Laurel) Seidelman, proud Grandfather of Jeanette, Susan, Lisa, Tammy, Eric, Jennifer and Cory, great-grandfather of 12, Great Great-Grandfather of 13 and fond Uncle of 7 living nieces and nephews. Born in Oswego, IL he worked on the family farm and at Barber Green before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy, South Pacific Theater, in WWII. Harold worked at the Mooseheart power plant until retirement, was a member of New England Congregational Church, Loyal Order of the Moose, VFW and volunteered over 20 years at Copley Hospital with his wife Ardis. He will be remembered for his laughter, ready smile and ability to fix just about anything! Family and friends will gather at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery IL 60538 on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Plum Landing 495 N. Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506. Dieterle Memorial Home 630-897-1196 www.dieterlememorialhome.com
* * * * * *
Harold Seidelman – “He Gave His Best to You”
When the Ken Burns documentary “The War” first aired in 2007, I was struck by the theme song “American Anthem” which was performed by Nora Jones. The song reminded me of Dad. We played the song prior to the service but here are the words once again.
All we've been given by those who came before
the dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Each generation from the plains to distant shore, with the gifts they were given
were determined to leave more. Battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone; these are the seeds from which America has grown.
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Harold Carl Seidelman was born of German Immigrant parents in Oswego, Illinois. Because he was needed on the farm he only attended school through 8th grade. He worked on his parent’s farm and as a hired hand at other farms in the Oswego area. He took a job at Barber Green in Aurora and in 1943 was called up to serve his country. We have his handwritten Service Record.
I am guessing that he had never been out of the state of Illinois so the trip to Idaho for Navy training (yes, Idaho) must have left him astonished. After 7 weeks of training he was sent to Camp Shoemaker in Dublin, California. This Camp was also known as “Fleet City”. It served the Navy and was home to a 3,000-bed hospital and a Naval Training and Personnel Distribution Center. Today there is nothing remaining of the old Navy camp. On December 9, 1943 he sailed on the USS General John Pope. He crossed the Equator on the 18th of December and two days before Christmas on December 23rd 1943 he arrived on the island of Noumea in New Caledonia to attend firefighting school.
He reported in his log that in May 1944 he sailed on the USS Lipan to Guadalcanal and Florida Island in the Solomon Islands. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship Tank) 227. His first “engagement with enemy” was on July 15, 1944 when he was fired upon while working to pull LSTs off the beaches in the Battle of Saipan. They picked up wounded men and brought them safely to the hospital ship. His Service record says that on September 8, 1944 he was based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (New Hebrides). That is all that is entered until June 1945.
On June 12, 1945 he boarded the A.P.A. Thomas Jefferson which was a troop carrier. She sailed from her temporary base in Saipan to Pearl Harbor for a two week standby period. She eventually was moved to the (as of then) unsecured Okinawa Harbor and then departed for several weeks of almost constant switchback cruising until she arrived back in San Francisco on July 15, 1945.
Harold was sent by train to Great Lakes Naval Base where he has honorably discharged from the Navy on October 23, 1945 to begin his civilian life again.J1rt vessel.
Dad was a Fireman 1st class and a Motor Machinist 2nd class in the Navy. He was gifted in things mechanical and these were skills that served him well his in his civilian life. He did not get any medals or special recognition. He was just a “swabbie” who gave over 2 years of his young life to his country.
After he was honored as a WWII VET in 2009 at the Aurora Memorial Day Parade, he said that he got more attention on that day than when he returned from the War. In 1945 and through the ensuing years no one ever said “Thank You”. Perhaps it was the huge influx of returning veterans or the desire of civilians to bask in the relief of the war ending. But he considered his service time to be a gift to his country and it brought tears to his eyes when he spoke of it.
So we say Thank You, to our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather.
Your children say - America, America, he gave his best for you.
Harold Carl Seidelman, age 100, longtime resident of Aurora, IL passed away on March 6th. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ardis A. Seidelman, his parents, and 7 brothers and sisters. Dear Father of Ronald (Betty) Seidelman, Ruthanne (the late Ken) Freund, and Richard (Laurel) Seidelman, proud Grandfather of Jeanette, Susan, Lisa, Tammy, Eric, Jennifer and Cory, great-grandfather of 12, Great Great-Grandfather of 13 and fond Uncle of 7 living nieces and nephews. Born in Oswego, IL he worked on the family farm and at Barber Green before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy, South Pacific Theater, in WWII. Harold worked at the Mooseheart power plant until retirement, was a member of New England Congregational Church, Loyal Order of the Moose, VFW and volunteered over 20 years at Copley Hospital with his wife Ardis. He will be remembered for his laughter, ready smile and ability to fix just about anything! Family and friends will gather at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery IL 60538 on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Plum Landing 495 N. Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506. Dieterle Memorial Home 630-897-1196 www.dieterlememorialhome.com
* * * * * *
Harold Seidelman – “He Gave His Best to You”
When the Ken Burns documentary “The War” first aired in 2007, I was struck by the theme song “American Anthem” which was performed by Nora Jones. The song reminded me of Dad. We played the song prior to the service but here are the words once again.
All we've been given by those who came before
the dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Each generation from the plains to distant shore, with the gifts they were given
were determined to leave more. Battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone; these are the seeds from which America has grown.
Let them say of me I was one who believed, in sharing the blessings
I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through
America, America I gave my best to you.
Harold Carl Seidelman was born of German Immigrant parents in Oswego, Illinois. Because he was needed on the farm he only attended school through 8th grade. He worked on his parent’s farm and as a hired hand at other farms in the Oswego area. He took a job at Barber Green in Aurora and in 1943 was called up to serve his country. We have his handwritten Service Record.
I am guessing that he had never been out of the state of Illinois so the trip to Idaho for Navy training (yes, Idaho) must have left him astonished. After 7 weeks of training he was sent to Camp Shoemaker in Dublin, California. This Camp was also known as “Fleet City”. It served the Navy and was home to a 3,000-bed hospital and a Naval Training and Personnel Distribution Center. Today there is nothing remaining of the old Navy camp. On December 9, 1943 he sailed on the USS General John Pope. He crossed the Equator on the 18th of December and two days before Christmas on December 23rd 1943 he arrived on the island of Noumea in New Caledonia to attend firefighting school.
He reported in his log that in May 1944 he sailed on the USS Lipan to Guadalcanal and Florida Island in the Solomon Islands. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship Tank) 227. His first “engagement with enemy” was on July 15, 1944 when he was fired upon while working to pull LSTs off the beaches in the Battle of Saipan. They picked up wounded men and brought them safely to the hospital ship. His Service record says that on September 8, 1944 he was based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (New Hebrides). That is all that is entered until June 1945.
On June 12, 1945 he boarded the A.P.A. Thomas Jefferson which was a troop carrier. She sailed from her temporary base in Saipan to Pearl Harbor for a two week standby period. She eventually was moved to the (as of then) unsecured Okinawa Harbor and then departed for several weeks of almost constant switchback cruising until she arrived back in San Francisco on July 15, 1945.
Harold was sent by train to Great Lakes Naval Base where he has honorably discharged from the Navy on October 23, 1945 to begin his civilian life again.J1rt vessel.
Dad was a Fireman 1st class and a Motor Machinist 2nd class in the Navy. He was gifted in things mechanical and these were skills that served him well his in his civilian life. He did not get any medals or special recognition. He was just a “swabbie” who gave over 2 years of his young life to his country.
After he was honored as a WWII VET in 2009 at the Aurora Memorial Day Parade, he said that he got more attention on that day than when he returned from the War. In 1945 and through the ensuing years no one ever said “Thank You”. Perhaps it was the huge influx of returning veterans or the desire of civilians to bask in the relief of the war ending. But he considered his service time to be a gift to his country and it brought tears to his eyes when he spoke of it.
So we say Thank You, to our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather.
Your children say - America, America, he gave his best for you.
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