Unclaimed veterans put to rest


Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com

In a short and dignified memorial service last week, nine military veterans and a spouse whose remains have not been claimed were laid to rest.

The Bucks County Coroner’s Office and Chester County Coroner’s Office held the ceremony last Thursday at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield Township.

The ceremony ensured that military veterans rest with honors if there are no families to claim them. Coroners’ offices worked with the US Department of Veterans Affairs as they prepared for the ceremony.

The public was invited along with veterans groups and an honor guard to remember the nine veterans and one of their spouses.

Coroner Meredith Buck and First Deputy Coroner Scott Croop.
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com

There was a gun salute and tap dancing was performed during the ceremony.

The ceremony was the third Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck has been on duty for, she said.

At the ceremony last week, Wayne Smith, a Vietnam War-era US Marine Corps. Richland Township veteran, was the only Bucks Countian buried in a columbarium.

Smith was considered unclaimed because no family came forward. His 97-year-old mother suffered from dementia and was unable to make arrangements for her son’s funeral, according to Bucks and First Assistant Coroner Scott Croop.

Here is the list of buried veterans:

  • Marcellus Brown, US Navy (Petty Officer 1st Class), (The post-WWII era), Township of Tredyffrin in County Chester
  • William P. Deignan, US Navy (sailor), (The post-Vietnamese era), Valley Township in Chester County
  • Jeffrey A. Fenstermacher, US Army (private), (The post-Vietnamese era), of the borough of Parkesburg in the county of Chester
  • Oliver C. Ford, US Marine Corp. (Rank unknown), (Vietnam era), Coatesville City in Chester County
  • Gregory D. Jones, US Navy (Rookie Seaman), (Persian Gulf War era), Coatesville City in Chester County
  • Joseph H. Jones, US Army (Private First Class), (Korean War era), West Chester Borough in County Chester
  • John W. Marsh, US Air Force (aviator), (Vietnam era), Honey Brook Township in Chester County
  • Joan M. Marsh, Veteran Wife, Wife of John W. Marsh (above), of Honey Brook Township in Chester County
  • Hollis Ross, United States Naval Reserve (Marine Apprentice), (Vietnam era), Caln Township in Chester County
  • Wayne Smith, United States Marine Corps. (Lance Corporal), (Vietnam era), Richland Township in Bucks County
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Chester County and Bucks County Coroner’s Staff.
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield / LevittownNow.com

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