A2C John R. Willes Killed in Automobile Accident, 1965

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John R. Willes was born on 22 January 1944, in Richmond City, Virginia. His parents are John D. & Donna R. (Brown) Willes of Newark. John graduated in 1962 from Harding High School. He was employed with the Isaly Dairy Company.

John R. Willes joined the United States Air Force and was serving in Germany as an Airman Second Class (A2C). He was assigned to the 887th Tactical Missile Squadron, 38th Tactical Missile Wing, 587th Tactical Missile Group.

Unfortunately, he was killed in an automobile accident, when the car he was riding in lost control on ice. A2C Willes died on 28 February 1965. A2C John R. Willes’ remains were returned to Marion County and he was buried in the Prospect Cemetery. Military rites were held by the Verne I. Mounts Post 368, American Legion of Prospect.

Raymond C. Hickman, New Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department – Line of Duty Death, 1983

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Raymond Cloyce Hickman was born on 7 January 1939, in LaRue, Ohio. His parents are Claris (Bud) & Blanche (Soloman) Hickman. Raymond had three daughters at the time of his death. Raymond C. Hickman was working as a self-employed contractor and tree surgeon. He also worked as an auxiliary Deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Raymond C. Hickman volunteered as a firefighter with the New Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department. On the night of 25 December 1983, the New Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department responded to two fire calls. Then, Fire Chief Jerry Drake stated that Hickman returned to fill up the water tanker truck and collapsed at the station. Hickman died and was thought to have had a heart attack.
Raymond C. Hickman was buried in the LaRue Cemetery, LaRue, Marion County, Ohio.

Raymond C. Hickman is remembered on the Marion County Firefighters Memorial located in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.

Marion Fire Chief, Owen A. Sifritt with Over 50 Years Service

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Owen Alpheus Sifritt was born in Green Camp Township, Marion County, Ohio, on 31 October 1884. His parents are Owen L. & Ellen (Harper) Sifritt. Owen had a brother, Paul Sifritt. Owen first married Mary “Mamie” Kathryn (Dreher), who died in 1940. After Mary died Owen married Dorothy (Stephan). This marriage occurred in 1949.

Owen’s father was a member of the Marion Police Department and Owen’s brother, Paul, was a long-time member of the Marion Fire Department.

In 1907, Owen Sifritt was serving as a Captain with G Company, Fourth Ohio National Guard. He mustered the company out of service in 1907. Owen A. Sifritt began working at the Marion Fire Department as a temporary firefighter in 1907. In 1908 he was appointed as a regular firefighter. He was one of the first firefighters appointed as permanent members under the new Board of Public Safety.

Chief Owen A. Sifritt’s career spanned the era of the horse drawn equipment to the full motorized fire apparatus. He was recognized for 50 years of service to the city in May of 1957, at a banquet held at the Hotel Harding. He was a member of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and was made a lifetime member of the International Association of Firefighters.

The words used to describe Chief Sifritt were faith, enthusiasm, ambition and resourcefulness. He has had faith in his community and in its children, said the speaker, who went on to explain that the chief held enthusiasm for his job even when he was a substitute fireman back in 1907 with small intention of making fire fighting his career.

From The Marion Star

Owen is pictured in many old department photos and he is often standing very near Chief T. J. McFarland. On 1 March 1915, Owen was promoted to the position of Captain. He served in this capacity until the retirement of Chief McFarland. On 1 January 1944 Owen A. Sifritt was promoted to Chief of the Marion Fire Department.

Chief Owen A. Sifritt retired 21 May 1959, after 52 years of service to Marion. He died on 26 September 1968, at the age of 83. Members of the Marion Fire Department served as pallbearers and Chief Sifritt was laid to rest in the Marion Cemetery.

(Left to Right) Owen A. Sifritt, T. J. McFarland, Unknown, R. W. Swisher, Charles Stafford, George Fetter, Jacob Yazel, Wesley R. Issleib

Edgar D. Custer, Green Camp Volunteer Fire Department – Line of Duty Death, 1974

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Edgar D. Custer was born 18 January 1930, in Marion Ohio. His parents are Fred D. & Bernice Custer of Marion. Edgar had served 10 years in the Ohio National Guard and was a veteran of World War Two. In July of 1945, Edgar was serving in Company M, Fourth Infantry, Ohio State Guard, Marion, Ohio. Edgar was married to Norma M. (Rasey). They had one daughter together. Edgar worked full-time with the Tecumseh Products Company, Marion Division.

Edgar D. Custer was serving as a Captain with the Green Camp Volunteer Fire Department. He had also served as Green Camp’s Village Marshal in the past.

On the evening of 2 February 1974, Green Camp Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Prospect-Centerville Road, west of Green Camp. Captain Custer had entered the smoke-filled house with his air pack on to investigate the fire. Capt. Custer had exited the house, still wearing his air pack. After he had been outside for about 20 minutes, he collapsed in the yard. Marion Township Fire Department’s squad responded to the downed Captain and transported him the Marion General Hospital. They were unable to revive Custer. It was later determined that Edgar D. Custer had died of a heart attack.

At the funeral the pallbearers were Green Camps Fire Chief, Bing Dickason along with department members: Robert Richey, Marvin Ralph, Donald Cleland, Frank Stover and Dwight Bond.
Edgar D. Custer is buried in the Green Camp Cemetery, Green Camp, Marion County, Ohio.
Edgar D. Custer is remembered on the Marion County Firefighters Memorial located in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.

Note: Edgar D. Custer’s name is mistakenly engraved on the memorial as “Edward Custer.”

SSgt. Curtis Borror Missing in Action After Crew Bails Out of B24, 1944

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James Curtis Borror, Jr. was born on 17 August 1920, in Pickaway County, Ohio. His parents are James Curtis, Sr. & Hazel (Ebert) Borror of Morral, Ohio. Prior to entering service, he was employed by Curtiss Wright in Franklin County, Ohio, where he worked in the machine shop.

Curtis Borror enlisted on 24 October 1942, at Patterson Field, Fairfield, Ohio. He served in the Army Air Force. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant while with the 72nd Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as a gunner on a B-24 Bomber, B-24D #42-41151.

While on a bombing mission to Truk Island, the aircraft SSgt Borror was aboard was attacked by Japanese fighter planes defending the island. B-24D #42-41151 was struck in the engine. The crew eventually had to bail out and the pilot had to ditch the plane at sea. There were eleven men aboard the bomber that day when it took off from Tong Island, none of the eleven were recovered. His date of death is listed as 3 June 1944.

SSgt. Borror was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart among campaign ribbons.
SSgt. Curtis Borror and his crew mates are listed on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

SSgt. Curtis Borror having lived in Marion County, but enlisting from another county, is not listed on any Honor Rolls in Marion County.

Airmen who perished on B-24D #42-41151:
1st Lt. Angelakos, Peter W. Pilot, South Carolina
S/Sgt. Borror, Curtis, Jr. Gunner, Ohio
1st Lt. Edwards, Robert L. Bombardier, New York
1st Lt. Furman, Irvin B. Navigator, Ohio
S/Sgt. Handley, Robert W. Gunner, Texas
1st Lt. Lewis, Walter F. Co-Pilot, Massachusetts
S/Sgt. McCallister, Emmanuel A. Gunner, West Virginia
T/Sgt. Ray, Marion Radio Operator, Missouri
T/Sgt. Rich, Carl E. Engineer, Illinois
T/Sgt. Roberts, Malcolm D, Jr. Gunner, New York
Corp. Romine, Gene G. Photographer, Oregon