George Ward Laiten

G. Ward Laiten, 94, of Fond du Lac, died Sunday, July 7, 2013, at Tower View Villa, Rosendale.He was born on May 25, 1919, in Omro, Wisconsin, a son of William M. and Grace Bliss Laiten. He was a graduate of Omro High School, California Flyers School and North American Aviation School.Ward served with the United States Army Air Corps 57th Bomb Wing in Africa, Italy, Corsica, and Sicily, from January 1942 until October 1945.On September 18, 1942, he married Marie Anna Ternes in Santa Monica, California.Ward worked for Kiekhaefer Marine and Brunswick as a pilot and an aircraft mechanic, retiring in 1983. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and served as an elder and a deacon. He was a member of the Oshkosh Hanger Quiet Birdmen, EAA and was the first manager of the Fond du Lac County Airport.He is survived by his wife, Marie; four children: Winifred (Alex) Kingsland- Caramanidis, Marcia (Neil) Sonnenberg, Juanita (Kurt) Urban, and George Ward (Dawn) Laiten, II; nine grandchildren: Michael (Colleen) Kingsland, Thomas (Wendy) Kingsland, Dawn (Byran) LeComte, Jason (Farrah) Sonnenberg, Jodi (Scott) Tavs, Lisa (Todd) Cady, Lana (John) Keane, Laura (Scott) Schwab, and Hunter Laiten; and nine great-grandchildren: Rebecca, Brooklin, Syler, Karlee, Jackson, Ana, Kendall, Alexis, and George.He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Haley LaitenThe visitation will be on Thursday, July 11, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, 1225 Fourth Street, Fond du Lac, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. The funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at church with Rev. Jack Harrison officiating. Burial will take place on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Omro Cemetery. It is a VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. Author UnknownAll memorials will be directed to the construction of a lighted cross in memory of Ward.

George Ward Laiten

May 25, 1919 - July 7, 2013