Surnames: STUVE STALLARD FORDHAM

----Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark Co, WI) 10/30/1943 (Follow on in 11/06/1943 HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE)

Stuve, Franklin Howell (5 JULY 1920 - 20 OCT 1943)

Ensign Franklin Stuve Crashes into Pacific

A message was received last Thursday evening by the home folks from Howell Stuve, of Owen, stating that their son Franklin was drowned in a plane crash in the Pacific ocean Wednesday forenoon. The communication from Mr. Stuve gave the following message, which was received by him about 6:00 o'clock last Wednesday evening:

"Deeply regret to inform you that your son, Ensign Franklin H. Stuve, died today at 10:20 a. m. result water crash off Tillamook Rock [Ore.] Remains not recovered. Deepest sympathy in your great loss. Commanding Officer."

Ensign Stuve and wife were residing at Seaside, Oregon, he having been transferred to the Pacific coast about mid summer to complete his training as a flyer before going into active service. Two companion planes that were in the air at the time signaled the coast guard and remained until the boat arrived, but Franklin had gone down with his plane and the body could not be recovered.

Franklin H., oldest son of Howell A. and Mabel Stallard Stuve, was born in Humbird July 5, 1920. Here he attended school and grew to young manhood, graduating from high school with the class of 1938. After graduation he was employed for some time on the cranberry marsh of his uncle, L. N. Rezin, at Cranmoor.

He enlisted in the naval air corps in May, 1942, at Green Bay, and took his pre-flight training at Iowa City, Iowa. From there he was sent to Olathe, Kansas, and then to Corpus Christi, Tex., where he received his wings, and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve that May.

On July 19th (1943) he was united in marriage at Jacksonville, Florida to a young lady (Hazel Fordham) from that state, and soon after, with his bride visited his parents at Owen, and his relatives here. This was his last visit home.

Franklin was 3 months and 15 days past 23 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hazel Stuve, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howell A. Stuve of Owen; six sisters and three brothers; besides many other relatives. His oldest sister, Lt. Phyllis. M. Stuve, is a nurse in the 44th general hospital unit in Australia, and his younger brother, Gordon, is a seaman on the Yorktown, at sea in the Pacific.

Memorial services will be held in this village at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Oct. 31st.

Memorial Services Were Held Sunday

Impressive memorial services for Ensign Franklin H. Stuve, who was lost in a plane crash in the Pacific ocean, eight miles off of Tillamook Rock, Ore., during a routine flight Wednesday forenoon, Oct. 20, were held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon. A large congregation of sympathizing friends was present, including delegations from the Legion post and Auxiliary.

The Rev. W. T. Fensome, former pastor of the Free Methodist church conducted the service. He was assisted by Rev. Ralph O. Dietzman, of Loyal, who read the scripture and gave the closing prayer. Musical selection by Mrs. W. E. Waters and Mrs. Walter Smith were: "How Firm a Foundation," "Nearer, My God to Thee," and "Sometime We'll Understand," with Miss Simons accompanist. W. E. Waters read a biographical sketch of Franklin, and also a fine letter from his commanding officer to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howell A. Stuve, expressing the sympathy of the command, and commending greatly the morale and attitude of the ensign's affiliation with the training unit. The Rev. Fensome used as a text for his sermon the words found in Rev. 21:4, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death."

A fine portrait of the deceased flier graced the front of the church with beautiful flowers, sympathizing gifts of loving friends.