Myrtle Mae Conover was born on Oct 3, 1884 at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington. She was the daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Myrtle married Charles Walter Guptill, son of William Guptill and Ella Phebe Libby, on Mar 7, 1906 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Myrtle Mae Conover died on Dec 9, 1960 at Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon, at age 76.

      James Anmdrea Conover was born on Oct 7, 1886 at Walla Walla County, Washington. He was the son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. James Anmdrea Conover died on Mar 25, 1942 at age 55.
     He was also known as Andrew James Conover. In the census on Apr 27, 1910 James Anmdrea Conover was named Andy Conover.




In the census on Jan 9, 1920 James Anmdrea Conover was named James A. Conover.

      Robert Clarence Conover was born on Nov 19, 1888 at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington. He was the son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Robert married Carrie Marie Waldrip, daughter of Thomas Roger Waldrip and Martha Eleanor Taylor, on Jun 1, 1911 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Robert Clarence Conover died on Oct 6, 1957 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 68.
     

      Henry Joseph Conover was born on Jul 30, 1892 at Dayton, Columbia County, Washington. He was the son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Henry married Berdia Mildred Miller, daughter of Hyrum Miller and Carrie Stanfield, on Jun 5, 1912. Henry Joseph Conover died in 1957 at Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho. He died on Feb 12, 1957 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, at age 64.
     He was also known as J. Henry Conover.

      Dora Rosella Conover was born on Nov 25, 1894 at Dayton, Columbia County, Washington. She was the daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Dora married Walter Roland Goodrich, son of Walter Clark Goodrich and Margaret A. Ewing, on Feb 18, 1915. Dora Rosella Conover died on Jun 3, 1973 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, at age 78.

      Vernon Everett Conover was born on Mar 13, 1897 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Vernon married Ada Arlene Phillipson, daughter of Anton Phillipson and Nellie Smith, on Jun 24, 1920 at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana. Vernon Everett Conover died on Feb 6, 1974 at Livingston, Park County, Montana, at age 76.
     

      Gertrude Violet Conover was born on Mar 19, 1899 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Gertrude married Oscar Henry Jordahl, son of Olef Jordahl and Elizabeth Olsen, on Mar 30, 1918 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. Gertrude Violet Conover died on Sep 11, 1981 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 82.

      Flora Agnes Conover was born on Oct 13, 1901 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Flora married John Henry Graham, son of Myers B. Graham and Sarah Potter, on Nov 28, 1920. Flora Agnes Conover and John Henry Graham were divorced. Flora Agnes Conover died on Apr 8, 1987 at Hillsboro, Washington County, Oregon, at age 85.

      Margaret Adeline Conover was born on Oct 31, 1903 at Palouse, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner. Margaret married Melvin Albert Adkinson in 1927 at Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon; no issue. Margaret Adeline Conover died on Apr 6, 1979 at age 75.

      Mary Boston was born circa 1873 at Illinois. She was the daughter of Noah Boston and Sarah E. Harrell. Mary married Charles E. Conover, son of Dennis Conover and Margaret Ann Moore, on Mar 12, 1891 at Edgar County, Illinois.

      Ersel Ellen Conover was born on Mar 27, 1900 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. She was born on Mar 27, 1900 at Clarinda, Page County, Iowa; 1900 census born Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles E. Conover and Mary Boston. Ersel married Wesley Stephenson, son of Richard Irwin Stephenson and Mary Lee Swearingen, on Aug 17, 1919. Ersel Ellen Conover died on Jun 24, 1992 at Riverside, Riverside County, California, at age 92. Ersel was buried on Jun 29, 1992 at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Riverside County, California.
     She was also known as Ersil Ellen Conover. She resided at at 22495 Van Buren Blve, Riverside, Riverside County, California.

      Arthur Clarence Conover was born on Nov 11, 1891 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of Charles E. Conover and Mary Boston. Arthur married Edith Beryl Steele, daughter of Noah Steele and Lov McClure, on Feb 17, 1917 at New Hampton, Harrison County, Missouri. Arthur Clarence Conover died on Apr 26, 1943 at Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri, at age 51.
     

     Otis married Ann Deakenball.

     Ann married Otis Bussard.

      Earl Hess was born on Apr 1, 1899 at Illinois. He was the son of Abraham Hess and Lola (Unknown). Earl married Lucille M. Conover, daughter of Terrance Clark Conover and Nellie Bussard, on Dec 20, 1920; no issue. Earl Hess died in Mar, 1974 at Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, at age 74.
     

      Ray Conover was born on Jun 11, 1900. He was the son of Terrance Clark Conover and Nellie Bussard. Ray Conover died on Apr 21, 1901.

     Freddie Conover died on Jul 18, 1890? He was born on Mar 22, 1895. He was the son of Terrance Clark Conover and Nellie Bussard.

      Blanche Marie Conover was born on Jun 16, 1898 at Illinois. She was the daughter of Terrance Clark Conover and Nellie Bussard. Blanche married Laurence Edgar Irish, son of Charles H. Irish and Clara Miller, on Nov 3, 1915 at Paris, Edgar County, Illinois. Blanche Marie Conover died on Nov 23, 1968 at Saint Louis, Missouri, at age 70.

      Willis Bussard was born circa 1871 at Illinois. He was the son of Otis Bussard and Ann Deakenball. Willis married Gertrude Conover, daughter of Dennis Conover and Margaret Ann Moore, on Aug 3, 1893.

      Harry Bussard was born on Aug 8, 1894. He was the son of Willis Bussard and Gertrude Conover. Harry Bussard died on Dec 25, 1955 at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, at age 61.

      Joseph Charles Conover was born on May 1, 1874 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He was the son of William L. Conover and Elleanor Ellis. Joseph married Abba Fulton, daughter of Samuel Fulton and Martha Worsley, on Jan 25, 1903. Joseph Charles Conover died in 1953 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois.
     

      Abba Fulton was born on Feb 7, 1879 at Illinois. She was the daughter of Samuel Fulton and Martha Worsley. Abba married Joseph Charles Conover, son of William L. Conover and Elleanor Ellis, on Jan 25, 1903. Abba Fulton died in Jul, 1971 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois, at age 92.

     Samuel married Martha Worsley.

     Martha married Samuel Fulton.

      Samuel Conover was born on May 25, 1903 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton. Samuel married Louise Perry on Oct 28, 1925.
     Samuel Conover was also known as Sam Conover.

      Eleanor C. Conover was born on Dec 1, 1905. She was the daughter of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton. Eleanor C. Conover died in Nov, 1969 at age 63.

      Margaret M. Conover was born on Oct 16, 1907 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton. Margaret married Harold Baarson, son of Benjamin E. Baarson and Ann Bissell, on May 30, 1939. Margaret M. Conover died on Aug 3, 1967 at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, at age 59.

      William L. Conover was born circa 1910 at Illinois. He was the son of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton.

      Joseph C. Conover was born on Dec 12, 1912 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton. Joseph married Doris Ford.
     Joseph C. Conover was also known as Carl J. Conover.

      Robert Ellis Conover was born on Nov 10, 1914 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of Joseph Charles Conover and Abba Fulton. Robert married Doris Laflen, daughter of Cloyd Laflen and Nina Oakwood, on Aug 31, 1940. Robert Ellis Conover died on Nov 16, 1986 at Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, at age 72.

      Ella Mae Conover was born in Jun, 1872 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. She was the daughter of William L. Conover and Elleanor Ellis. Ella married Henry L. Jones. Ella married James Monroe Lewis, son of Richard Lewis and Dorothy Jane Burford, on May 29, 1894 at Edgar County, Illinois. Ella married Millard M. Minnick on Mar 14, 1904 at Vigo County, Indiana. Ella Mae Conover died on Apr 25, 1937 at Vermilion County, Illinois, at age 64.

      Millard M. Minnick was born circa 1857 at Indiana. Millard married Ella Mae Conover, daughter of William L. Conover and Elleanor Ellis, on Mar 14, 1904 at Vigo County, Indiana.

      Harry Winifred Lewis was born on Apr 26, 1899 at Chrisman, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of James Monroe Lewis and Ella Mae Conover. Harry married Mayme Alvida Lindhart on Oct 30, 1930 at Hibbing, Saint Louis County, Minnesota. Harry Winifred Lewis died on Jun 10, 1960 at Farmington, San Juan County, New Mexico, at age 61.

      Charles Francis Reed was born on Dec 27, 1884 at Napa, Napa County, California. He was the son of (Unknown) Reed and Amanda Stark. Charles married Ida Belle Conover, daughter of Henry Holse Conover and Eliza Rosella Jones, circa 1910 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. Charles Francis Reed died on Jan 29, 1969 at Rosalia, Whitman County, Washington, at age 84.
     

     (Unknown) married Amanda Stark.

     Amanda married (Unknown) Reed.

      Leslie Llewellyn Reed was born on May 4, 1911 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. He was born on May 5, 1911 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Charles Francis Reed and Ida Belle Conover. Leslie married Emily Lucille Mulkey, daughter of Johathon Randolf Mulkey and Gracie Marie White, on May 31, 1930 at Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon. Leslie Llewellyn Reed died on Dec 4, 1985 at age 74.

      Leah Rosella Reed was born on Sep 12, 1907 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Charles Francis Reed and Ida Belle Conover. Leah married John Henry Schmidt, son of William J. Schmidt and Carrie (Unknown), on Jun 1, 1927.

      Frances Ethel Amanda Reed was born on Nov 3, 1921 at Diamond, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Charles Francis Reed and Ida Belle Conover. Frances married Ernest Arthur Weitman, son of Samuel Arthur Weitman and Isabel Webster, on Oct 17, 1939 at Saint John, Washington.

      Flora Ethel Parker was born in 1894 at Deer Lodge, Powell County, Montana. She was the daughter of William Parker and Edna Jean Harrison. Flora married Orie Harrison Conover, son of Henry Holse Conover and Eliza Rosella Jones, on Jan 1, 1915 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Flora Ethel Parker died in 1971.

     William married Edna Jean Harrison.
     William Parker and Edna Jean Harrison resided at at Deer Lodge, Powell County, Montana.

     Edna married William Parker.
     Edna Jean Harrison and William Parker resided at at Deer Lodge, Powell County, Montana.

      Claudia Logsdon was born in 1899. She was the daughter of Charles Joseph Logsdon and Hattie Towe. Claudia married Charles Henry Conover, son of Henry Holse Conover and Eliza Rosella Jones, on Jun 3, 1916 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. Claudia Logsdon died in 1946.

     Charles married Hattie Towe.

     Hattie married Charles Joseph Logsdon.

      Lillian Lenora Conover was born on Oct 11, 1922 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Charles Henry Conover and Claudia Logsdon. Lillian married George A. Hargrave. Lillian Lenora Conover died on Nov 12, 2004 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, at age 82.
     

Lillian Hargrave Spokane Valley Funeral for Lillian Lenora Conover Hargrave, 82, will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Dishman Baptist Church, with burial at Pines Cemetery. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hargrave, who was born in Endicott, Wash., died Friday. She was a resident of Spokane Valley for the past 48 years. She graduated from high school in Ewan, Wash., where she played on the Ewan girls basketball team in the state tournament. She grew up on the family wheat farm in Ewan and later had managed the farm. Survivors include four children, Donna Hargrave, Terry Hargrave, Sharon Hargrave Ahern, and Diana Khajavi; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

      Wanda Jessie Conover was born on May 30, 1919 at Wanetta, Montana. She was the daughter of Charles Henry Conover and Claudia Logsdon. Wanda married Walter Palmer.
     In the census on Jan 16, 1920 Wanda Jessie Conover was named Jesse Conover.
She resided at at Seattle, King County, Washington.

      Charles Donald Conover was born on Jan 19, 1921 at Montana. He was the son of Charles Henry Conover and Claudia Logsdon.

      Harry Conover was born circa Nov, 1917 at Montana. He was the son of Charles Henry Conover and Claudia Logsdon.
      Died at age 6.

      Charles Walter Guptill was born on Aug 14, 1881 at Minnesota. He was the son of William Guptill and Ella Phebe Libby. Charles married Myrtle Mae Conover, daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Mar 7, 1906 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Charles Walter Guptill died on May 24, 1949 at Whitman County, Washington, at age 67.
     

     William married Ella Phebe Libby.

     Ella married William Guptill.

     Mildred Lenora Guptill died. She was born on Jun 21, 1904 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Mildred married George W. Pettit on Jun 13, 1922 at Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana. Mildred married Oliver C. Jacobson.

      Neil Garfield Guptill was born on Dec 30, 1906 at Forest, Lewis County, Idaho. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Neil married Getha Miller on Apr 5, 1948; no issue. Neil Garfield Guptill died on Apr 19, 1995 at Princeton, Latah County, Idaho, at age 88.
     He began military service on Apr 24, 1942 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington; Private, U.S. Army
Grammer School
Automobile Serviceman
single without dependents
72 inches tall
180 lbs.

      Virgil Clinton Guptill was born on Sep 9, 1908 at Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Virgil married Genevieve Bernice McChesney, daughter of John McChesney and Mae (Unknown), on Sep 28, 1931 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. Virgil Clinton Guptill died on Aug 11, 1967 at Alameda County, California, at age 58; in a work related accident.
     He served in the U. S. Navy during WWII.

      Lloyd Gerald Guptill was born on Jun 24, 1912 at Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Lloyd married Alice Smith Getz. Lloyd Gerald Guptill died on Feb 27, 1995 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, at age 82.
     He began military service on Mar 27, 1941 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington; U. S. Army
4 years high school
Automobile Serviceman
single without dependents
68 inches tall
132 lbs.

      Wayne Joseph Guptill was born on Aug 12, 1914 at Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Wayne Joseph Guptill died in 1939.

      Leonard Adrian Guptill was born on Dec 18, 1918 at Wanetta, Montana. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Leonard married Lorrayne Wuerfell, daughter of Charles August Wuerffel and Gertrude Augustus, on Jul 31, 1943.
     

LEONARD GUPTILL

Leonard Guptill was born in a log house with a sod roof on a homestead near Wanetta, Montana in 1917. They had no plumbing, electricity, telephone, or central heat. They hauled water in barrels from a spring a mile away. His dad dug several wells, but never hit water. A painting his sister did of his first house hangs on the wall of the Guptill's home, a reminder of how things were when he was young.

There wasn't actually a town in Wanetta. Some neighbors distributed the mail and his folks scratched the land, which was in cattle country, hoping to raise enough to sustain their family of six boys and a girl. They moved to Oregon when Leonard was six years old, then the family split up in 1927. His dad moved to Colfax and his mom stayed in Oregon City, so Leonard jumped back and forth a lot. He and one of his brothers made one trip on a freight train when he was fourteen years old, riding the rails from Vancouver, Washington to Hooper, the closest the line ran to Colfax. The brothers walked from there, only catching a couple of short-distance rides on the infrequently traveled gravel road that ran from Hooper to Colfax.

When they were with their dad the boys batched with him and his dog and walked or hitched-hiked to school. Leonard graduated from the eighth grade at Kamiah, or Skene, a one-room school that had three students the year he finished, the other students being seventh and fifth graders. They indeed could tell stories of walking many miles through the snow to school from way out on Parvin Road. He graduated from Colfax High in 1938, having missed several years of school due to moving so often.

He did farm work in Whitman County while in Europe the Brits and Germans warmed up their local war, each turning to their allies to join their battle. Leonard saw what was coming and decided he wanted to get in the branch of service he preferred, so in February of 1940 he joined the Navy. He again rode the rails, this time in a passenger car, first class, to San Diego where he was in Boot Camp for eight weeks. He then went into Radio School, which he didn't like at all. After a month he found that the dits and dots all ran together, and so in July of 1940 he transferred to the Mississippi and headed across the Pacific.

On July 24, 1940 he crossed the equator headed for Christmas Island. He noted that people in the area were still looking for Amelia Earhart who had disappeared three years earlier. The equator crossing called for some good-natured hazing. Some of the shellbacks, ones who had crossed before, dressed up as pirates and in other ridiculous costumes. They had fashioned a long sack of garbage which they made the new crossers crawl through, and insisted that some of the men to stand guard in diapers holding toilet paper rolls up to their faces as they would binoculars. They had to run a gauntlet while some of the men gave them a whack, but none too hard. The certificate he got for enduring the hazing made it all worthwhile. Guptill ended up crossing the equator around fifty times, and also made an Arctic Circle crossing for which he earned a handsome certificate and the right to spit against the wind.

He and the other sailors spent a lot of time polishing brass. Before the US engaged in combat the Navy required all brass be shined every day. Once the fleet was in combat they let the brass dull down to keep from being easy targets. They also scrubbed decks. They had big stiff brushes they worked with, using salt water to rinse. The briny water ruined their shoes so they worked bare-footed, causing blisters to rise on the tops of their feet from the intense tropical sunshine.

When they reached Hawaii the Mississippi tied up alongside the Arizona. "The guys from our boot camp were split between the two ships," Guptill said sadly. "The ones on the Arizona are gone."

"But we lived the good life in Hawaii for a year or so," Leonard said. "We had good liberty, the weather was great, and duty was easy." Then in May of 1941, much to his disappointment, the Mississippi was transferred to the East Coast and he went from Hawaii to Iceland. From June to December of that year, the Mississippi operated with the Atlantic Fleet, guarding commerce on patrol duties in the area between the East Coast and Iceland and acting as a covering force for convoys and lines of communications. During that time scouting and searching operations conducted in the vicinity of Iceland included a search for the Nazi battleships Shornhorst and Tirpitz, then suspected of violating United States neutrality. "There were a lot of German subs prowling around too. We had lost a couple of destroyers," Guptill said. "And this was before we were at war with Germany. We never did find those ships."

It was a miserable six months for the crew. It was bitterly cold, one of the worst winters on record. Leonard recalls that as a Sailor Third Class he had to stand in the range finder, a steel box high atop the ship, from where they aimed all the big guns aboard ship during battle. It was used as a look-out post the rest of the time. During the worst storm he ever encountered, in fact one of the worst recorded in the North Atlantic, the men standing duty had to be tied into an upright position in the range finder in order not to be swept overboard by the surf reaching that highest point on the ship. They lost three airplanes off their deck, plus all the guns, ones that were bolted down. A steel ladder up the side of the ship was ripped off and curled up by the crashing surf and the ventilators shipside were all smashed. Although the ship displaced thirty-two thousand tons and had a top speed of twenty-one knots, when she would hit a surging wave head-on during that memorable storm, the ship would stop dead in the water.

After telling about the storm, Leonard kind of smiled and said, "But at night when we were in our hammocks it was kind of nice. No matter how far the ship rolled, our hammocks would just kind of sway and stay level."

Guptill's battle station was three decks below in the powder room. He worked among 100-pound bags of powder which he loaded on conveyors that sent the powder to the gun turrets. It took four 100-pound bags of powder to fire one shell. There were twelve 14-inch,

50-caliber, 65-mile range guns that fired one ton projectiles. The gunners received their firing orders from a spotter in the range finder atop the ship and their firing power from Leonard and other sailors three decks below.

The morning of December 7, 1941found the Mississippi and her sister-ships of Division Three among the very few undamaged battleships then in the United States Navy. Leonard and most of the ship's crew were on the fantail watching a movie around 7 p.m. on the 7th when they got the word Pearl Harbor had been attacked. The movie stopped and they were called to battle stations in case there was some action brewing near them. They maintained a twenty-four-hour patrol for several days. He was assigned a watch with an officer where he examined every inch of the ship for sabotage.

"It was the first time I had been all through the ship," Leonard noted. "As it turned out everyone on board was loyal. We didn't find anything."

After Pearl Harbor had been hit, the Mississippi headed back to the Pacific through the Panama Canal. They stood patrol duty on the West Coast, then in August of 1942 Guptill was assigned to a newly commissioned ship, the USS Nassau. It was an Escort Aircraft Carrier docked in Bremerton, commissioned to ferry airplanes to fighting ships in the South Pacific. After trial runs and fitting out activities in the Seattle area, the ship was underway for Pearl Harbor on October 14. They were hauling planes, loaded wing tip to wing tip on the flight deck. They had to be lifted on and off with a crane. They sailed with no escort.

"We never saw an enemy ship or plane. We did see some shot up planes that were returning from battle. But I never had to carry a gun, didn't have to sleep in mud. We carried replacement airplanes to ships that would go into battle zones where they could fly off the carrier and do damage."

In the middle of 1943 Guptill was promoted to Chief Petty Officer, the highest ranking enlisted man in his division. Later that same year he became seriously ill and was placed in a Navy hospital for six months, after which he was assigned in July of 1944 to the Navy Supply Depot in Clearfield, Utah. That distant site, far enough away from possible attack, was a safe place to gather, box, and ship items to the front. The supply personnel would put enough of each item needed on the front lines into crates, each marked with numbers for easy identification when the crate reached its destination in the South Pacific. The crates were packed on pallets that were able to float. The pallets, or base loads, were designed so that when a unit took an island they would have all they needed to set up camp. "When they were ready to set up they had no problem finding a particular tool. The base loads were complete down to silverware for the Captain's dinner table," Leonard said, rather proudly even after all these years.

In 1945 he had to return to the hospital once again, this time to Oak Knoll in Oakland, California. But there had been a change for the good in his life. While in Utah he had met a young woman, a WAVE named Lorayne Wuerffel, from Noblesville, Indiana near Indianapolis. Lorayne had enlisted and gone through Basic Training at Hunter College in New York, then attended Storekeeper School in Milladgeville, Georgia. After completing her schooling she transferred to Clearfield, Utah where she met Leonard.

They married on July 31, 1945. "The Navy paid for our honeymoon," beamed Leonard. He was transferred from Oak Knoll to a Naval hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colorado in August and was there until November 2, 1945 when they were both discharged. "The Navy was real good about letting Lorayne go with me," he said.

After the war Leonard farmed, then served as the Post Master in St. John. Lorayne worked as a rural carrier after their children were in school. He and Lorayne raised three children, have seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Leonard spoke of his own grandparents who had seventeen grandchildren in the service in World War II. Only two didn't return. Four of the other Guptill brothers served, one a Seabee in the South Pacific and three in Europe. "We all made it back," Leonard Guptill said quietly. That is a lot to be thankful for.

      Darrell Raymond Guptill was born on Aug 10, 1921 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Darrell married Valdine Serena Knapp on Oct 25, 1943. Darrell Raymond Guptill died on Feb 24, 2002 at Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon, at age 80.
     He began military service on Aug 15, 1942 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington; U. S. Army
2 years high school
automobile serviceman
single without dependents
72 inches tall
150 lbs.

      Maxine Delores Guptill was born on Dec 12, 1915 at Whitman County, Montana. She was the daughter of Charles Walter Guptill and Myrtle Mae Conover. Maxine Delores Guptill died in 1916; 6 weeks old.
     She was also known as Maxine Delores Guptill.

      Carrie Marie Waldrip was born on Feb 21, 1891 at Washington. She was the daughter of Thomas Roger Waldrip and Martha Eleanor Taylor. Carrie married Robert Clarence Conover, son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Jun 1, 1911 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Carrie Marie Waldrip died on Mar 19, 1978 at Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 87.

     Thomas married Martha Eleanor Taylor.
     Thomas Roger Waldrip and Martha Eleanor Taylor resided at at Diamond, Whitman County, Washington.

     Martha married Thomas Roger Waldrip.
     Martha Eleanor Taylor and Thomas Roger Waldrip resided at at Diamond, Whitman County, Washington.

      Max Robert Conover was born on Nov 2, 1912 at Diamond, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Robert Clarence Conover and Carrie Marie Waldrip. Max married Laverne Vera Sandbak, daughter of Otto Adolph Sandbak and Hilma Marie Seagram, on Sep 20, 1936 at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana. Max Robert Conover died on Apr 14, 2000 at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 87.
     He served two terms as Montana State Senator circa 1972 at Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana.

Max R. Conover
BROADVIEW – Max R. Conover, 87, of Broadview, passed away on April 14, 2000, at his home surrounded by his family.
Max was born the eldest of five, on Nov. 2, 1912, in Diamond, Wash., to Robert C. and Carrie Conover.
The family moved in 1916 to Comanche where Max attended grade school. In 1929, they moved to the Conover Ranch, north of Broadview, and Max attended and graduated from Broadview High School.
On Sept. 20, 1936, Max married Luverne Sandbak in Broadview. They resided in Broadview, where Max operated the GM elevator for 11 years. Then in 1947, they moved to the Conover Ranch where they raised their family of three girls, until his retirement in 1982.
Max was a 50-year member and past master of the Rapelje Lodge No. 122, Scottish Rite, past patron and 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, member of the Al Bedoo and rode in the Black Horse Patrol. Max was also a member of the Montana Constitutional Convention, a Montana state senator, a board member of the Community Center and charter member of Senior Citizens. He was also a charter member of the Broadview Lions Club, past president of Montana Grain Growers Association, past board member of the Cert-Seed Association, and served 14 years on the county Library Board.
Max served many years on the Broadview School Board, refereed ball games for 30 years and timed many track meets.
Max loved to play cards, bowl and play pool, but his greatest love was the land and driving combines during harvest with his grandsons.
Max is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lovey, and his three daughters, Kay (Keith) Nelson of Broadview, Ann Brehm and friend Norm of Billings, Susan (Lee) Lane of Billings, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, sister Evelyn, and brother Junior (Margaret), and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Broadview Gym with interment in Broadview Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Broadview Senior Citizens, Al Bedoo Shrine Transportation Trust Fund or the charity of your choice.

      Maurice Waldrip Conover was born on Dec 10, 1914 at Diamond, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Robert Clarence Conover and Carrie Marie Waldrip. Maurice married Eleanor Irene Kennedy, daughter of Michael Joseph Kennedy and Leta Irene Meyers, on May 18, 1940. Maurice Waldrip Conover died on Apr 5, 1996 at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 81.
     He began military service on Jan 21, 1944 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He trained at Fort Wheeler, Georgia. Sent overseas in August 1944; saw action in Germany and Holland as a Private First Class in the 7th Armored Division. He was captured at Saint Vith, Belgium
December 22, 1944. Crossed the Rhine at Loblenz, walked to Limburg, Germany, went by freight to Muhlbeurg. First prisoner camp was Stalag 4-B, second prisoner camp was Freiricksgruen. Liberated April 17, 1945; at the time he was bedfast with malnutritiom, legs so swollen he could not walk. Hospitalized in France. Arrived home June 16, 1945.

      Evelyn Marie Conover was born on Sep 10, 1917 at Comanche, Yellowstone County, Montana. She was the daughter of Robert Clarence Conover and Carrie Marie Waldrip. Evelyn married Alvin William Hageman, son of William John Hageman and Amanda E. Dannenberg, on Jul 27, 1931. Evelyn married Alvin William Hageman, son of William John Hageman and Amanda E. Dannenberg, on Jul 28, 1939.

      Thomas Richard Conover was born on Aug 21, 1920 at Comanche, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Robert Clarence Conover and Carrie Marie Waldrip. Thomas Richard Conover died on Aug 23, 1943 at Samoa Islands at age 23. Thomas was buried on Oct 23, 1947 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
     In the census on Apr 7, 1930 Thomas Richard Conover was named Richard T. Conover.
He began military service on Aug 22, 1942 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana; enlisted in the U. S. Marines.

      Robert Clarence Conover Jr. was born on Jul 11, 1922 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Robert Clarence Conover and Carrie Marie Waldrip. Robert married Margaret Mike, daughter of Paul Mike and Donna Eftaffb, on Jun 10, 1943.
     Robert Clarence Conover Jr. resided at at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana, in 2002.

      Berdia Mildred Miller was born on Sep 8, 1893. She was the daughter of Hyrum Miller and Carrie Stanfield. Berdia married Henry Joseph Conover, son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Jun 5, 1912. Berdia Mildred Miller died on Apr 21, 1989 at Kirkland, King County, Washington, at age 95.
     She was also known as Berdie Miller.

      Hubert J. Conover was born on Feb 17, 1915. He was born on Feb 19, 1915 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Henry Joseph Conover and Berdia Mildred Miller. Hubert married Ruth Sargeant, daughter of Perry Tillman Sargeant and Clara Jane Jones, on Aug 2, 1943 at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Hubert J. Conover died on Jan 9, 1985 at age 69. He died on Jan 9, 1986 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, at age 70.

      Henry Milton Conover was born on Jan 28, 1917 at Endicott, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Henry Joseph Conover and Berdia Mildred Miller. Henry married Mary A. Pierce, daughter of Craig Pierce and Margaret Adele Moore, on Nov 21, 1942 at Baltimore, Maryland. Henry Milton Conover died on Mar 25, 2000 at age 83.
     He began military service on Apr 21, 1942 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington; Drafted as a Private U. S. Army
4 years high school
Frameman, Telephone and Telegraph
single, without dependents
73 inches tall
170 lbs. He served as a Captain in the U. S. Army between Apr 21, 1942 and Dec 1, 1945. He resided at at Washington, District of Columbia. He resided at at Seattle, King County, Washington.

      Walter Roland Goodrich was born on Dec 5, 1892 at Lehigh, Webster County, Iowa. He was the son of Walter Clark Goodrich and Margaret A. Ewing. Walter married Dora Rosella Conover, daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Feb 18, 1915. Walter Roland Goodrich died on Feb 19, 1977 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, at age 84.
     He was also known as Walter Rolland Goodrich.

     Walter married Margaret A. Ewing.

     Margaret married Walter Clark Goodrich.

      Burdette Clark Goodrich was born on Oct 27, 1917 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Walter Roland Goodrich and Dora Rosella Conover. Burdette Clark Goodrich died on Feb 27, 1945 at Rangoon Prison Camp, Burma, at age 27.
     

Oceanside man joins campaign to find WWII MIAs

By: JESSICA MUSICAR - for the North County Times

Jim Goodrich was only 10 years old when his eldest brother died in the Japanese Rangoon Prison Camp at the end of World War II.

Captured and shot in the neck by Burmese men after crashing his airplane into a rice paddy a mile west of Pyinchaung, Burma, 1st Lt. Burdette Goodrich spent seven months in the camp before dying of colitis, malnutrition and dysentery, according to Army files given to the family.

Buried for a short while after his death, the body of Burdette Goodrich was exhumed along with the bodies of dozens of other soldiers; they were brought back to the United States for proper burial. Placed on a C-47B cargo plane, the bodies and the craft made their way to Calcutta, India, and suddenly disappeared.


Since May 17, 1946, what happened to the airplane, its crew and the remains of the dead soldiers has been a mystery. Jim Goodrich, 70, who lives in Oceanside, said the remains of approximately 53 bodies ---- including passengers and crew ---- are thought to be on the plane.

Looking at sepia-toned photographs of his brother in uniform, standing with his fighter plane "Duffy #2," named for Burdette Goodrich's wife, Jim Goodrich says his brother still has a burial plot waiting for him in Washington, his home state.

Goodrich is just one of several relatives searching for the final resting place of the C-47 in hopes of bring their soldiers home.

Led by Lisa Phillips, a woman in Maine who in 2001 began a search for the remains of her great uncle, also on the C-47, the group is spearheading a campaign to not only find out what happened, but to gain more federal funds for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, which conducts searches for living soldiers, or the remains of dead soldiers, from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Gulf War.

JPAC's mission is to track all missing Americans lost during previous wars.

According to the JPAC Web site, approximately 78,000 Americans are missing from World War II. Of that number, an estimated 35,000 are deemed recoverable, with the others lost at sea or entombed in sunken vessels.

Phillips also has been searching for the families of the missing, hoping that their united voices will help expedite the location and recovery of the missing plane.

"She wants to bring these 'heroes' home ---- she believes that is what they deserve," Goodrich said. "It's taken on a life of its own and it just keeps growing on us."

Phillips is lobbying Congress for more World War II research, investigation and recovery of fallen troops. She has written up a petition that she is hoping to spread across the United States for signatures to lobby for her effort.

"I had two choices here ---- I could complain about the system or I could do something to try to make it better for everyone and most of all for our fallen heroes," Phillips said. "These wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews have never given up hope of having their soldiers brought home.

JPAC spokeswoman Erika Ruthman said her organization has a $46 million budget and conducts 10 World War II searches per year.

JPAC has 18 recovery teams, 10 dedicated to those missing from the war in Southeast Asia, five dedicated to the Korean War, and three committed to recovering missing Americans from World War II, the Cold War and the Gulf War.

Johnie Webb, the senior adviser to the commanding general of JPAC, said time is more limited than money.

More than one team can be at each mission, and may cover more than one country per mission. Teams are deployed in excess of six months per year depending on the mission, he said.

"That's about all we can fit into a year," Webb said.

Webb said he was aware of Phillips' effort to raise money for his organization. However, when putting together its annual budget, the organization receives what it needs to operate. Additional funding, if needed, comes from the Navy.

He said he appreciates Phillips' work, and believes it highlights JPAC in case more funding is needed.

"She has a mission that she wants to see accomplished and she thinks we need more money," Webb said.

Phillips said that when she started her search for the remains of her great uncle, all she knew was his name, 2nd Lt. Joseph C. Rich, and that he had died at the hands of the Japanese.

But with some research, everything began to unfold. A navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator in the China-Burma-India theater, Rich was shot down on Nov. 27, 1943. He was taken to the Rangoon Prison Camp where he died less than a year later weighing 80 pounds. His body was on the same plane as Goodrich's, she said.

Based on the airplane's last contact and flight speed, Phillips estimates the plane went down in Bangladesh. She said she has met with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington to discuss the possibility of this aircraft being in their country.

Because Goodrich was so young when his brother died, he did his best to put the sad memory behind him, leaving responsibilities such as keeping his brother's medals to other siblings. For the most part, he succeeded in ignoring the incident until last year, when a great-nephew did a report on the subject, and he and Phillips made contact.

"To me, it was just a bad experience during the time I was growing up," Goodrich said. "It's not something I find pleasant; (these are) not good memories."

He said Phillips finally convinced him two months ago that the plane she was searching for and the one that contained his brother's remains were one and the same.

Although he doubts that the plane will ever be discovered or that his brother's remains will ever rest in the United States, Goodrich said he hopes that it will happen, simply to give closure to the many families involved, including his own.

      Shirley Margaret Goodrich was born on Feb 19, 1922 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. She was the daughter of Walter Roland Goodrich and Dora Rosella Conover. Shirley married Earl McAbee, son of Earl W. McAbee and Lenora Hammond, on Jun 20, 1942. Shirley Margaret Goodrich died on Feb 13, 1998 at Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish County, Washington, at age 75.

      Joseph E. Goodrich was born on Apr 10, 1924 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Walter Roland Goodrich and Dora Rosella Conover. Joseph married Joyce Kathleen Ochs, daughter of Albert Ochs and Leta Green, circa 1946. Joseph married Hallie Vogel.
     Joseph E. Goodrich began military service on May 17, 1943 at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington; U. S. Army
4 years high school
single, without dependents.

      James Clifford Goodrich was born on Aug 24, 1935 at Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. He was the son of Walter Roland Goodrich and Dora Rosella Conover. James married Karen Aschleman.

      Ada Arlene Phillipson was born in 1903. She was the daughter of Anton Phillipson and Nellie Smith. Ada married Vernon Everett Conover, son of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Jun 24, 1920 at Broadview, Yellowstone County, Montana. Ada Arlene Phillipson died in 1993.

     Anton married Nellie Smith.
     Anton Phillipson and Nellie Smith resided at at Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.

     Nellie married Anton Phillipson.
     Nellie Smith and Anton Phillipson resided at at Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.

      Phyllis Arlene Conover was born on Mar 12, 1927. She was the daughter of Vernon Everett Conover and Ada Arlene Phillipson. Phyllis married William Schafer on Jun 11, 1949 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
     Phyllis Arlene Conover resided at at Seattle, King County, Washington.

      Dale Everett Conover was born on Apr 6, 1929 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Vernon Everett Conover and Ada Arlene Phillipson. Dale married Alice Roberts on Dec 31, 1953. Dale Everett Conover died on Jan 9, 1957 at Yellowstone County, Montana, at age 27; in a head on collision between Roundup and Miles City, Montana.

      Oscar Henry Jordahl was born on Oct 21, 1879. He was the son of Olef Jordahl and Elizabeth Olsen. Oscar married Gertrude Violet Conover, daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Mar 30, 1918 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
     Oscar Henry Jordahl was also known as Henry Oscar Jordahl.

     Olef married Elizabeth Olsen.

     Elizabeth married Olef Jordahl.

      Orland Conover Jordahl was born on Feb 8, 1919 at Comanche, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was born on Feb 18, 1919 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Oscar Henry Jordahl and Gertrude Violet Conover. Orland married Jessie Durant, daughter of Frank Durant and Sarah Ellen Wynne-Roberts, on Jan 7, 1940.
     Orland Conover Jordahl resided at at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, in 2000.

      Henry O. Jordahl was born on Aug 15, 1922 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of Oscar Henry Jordahl and Gertrude Violet Conover. Henry married Alberta June Desmarais, daughter of Eureher Joseph Desmarais and Adele Ann Fe, on Dec 8, 1945.
     Henry O. Jordahl was also known as Oscar Henry Jordahl. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He resided at at 2367 S. Cliff Dr., Green Valley, Pima County, Arizona.

      Neva Lois Jordahl was born in 1921. She was the daughter of Oscar Henry Jordahl and Gertrude Violet Conover. Neva Lois Jordahl died in 1935.

      John Henry Graham was born on Feb 20, 1899 at Nebraska. He was the son of Myers B. Graham and Sarah Potter. John married Flora Agnes Conover, daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, on Nov 28, 1920. John Henry Graham and Flora Agnes Conover were divorced. John Henry Graham died in Feb, 1963.
      In the census on Apr 3, 1930 John Henry Graham was named Jack Graham.

     Myers married Sarah Potter.

     Sarah married Myers B. Graham.
     Sarah Potter resided at at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.

      Robert C. Graham was born on Feb 17, 1922 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of John Henry Graham and Flora Agnes Conover. Robert married Estella G. Vernes, daughter of Michael Vernes and Laura (Unknown), on Nov 22, 1941.
     Robert C. Graham resided at at Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana.

      Barbara Fern Graham was born on Jul 20, 1921 at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. She was the daughter of John Henry Graham and Flora Agnes Conover. Barbara married Theodore Raymond Rohla. Barbara Fern Graham and Theodore Raymond Rohla were divorced. Barbara married Gilbert E. Musgrove, son of George Hennessey Musgrove and Gesina Anna Ellinghousen, on May 15, 1949.
     Barbara Fern Graham served in the Waves in WWII between 1943 and 1945. She and Gilbert E. Musgrove resided at at Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana, on Nov 12, 1950. Barbara Fern Graham resided at at Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon.

      Gerald John Graham was born on May 13, 1926 at Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. He was the son of John Henry Graham and Flora Agnes Conover. Gerald married Catherine Wilkerson, daughter of Glenn Wilkerson and Ella Fulkerson, on Apr 5, 1946.
     Gerald John Graham served in the the U. S. Navy Reserve between 1943 and 1952.

      Melvin Albert Adkinson was born circa 1903 at Washington. Melvin married Margaret Adeline Conover, daughter of Joseph Benton Conover and Florida Poyner, in 1927 at Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon; no issue. Melvin Albert Adkinson died on Jun 2, 1964; auto accident.

      Wesley Stephenson was born on Nov 12, 1892 at Imperial, Chase County, Nebraska. He was the son of Richard Irwin Stephenson and Mary Lee Swearingen. Wesley married Ersel Ellen Conover, daughter of Charles E. Conover and Mary Boston, on Aug 17, 1919. Wesley Stephenson died on Oct 26, 1947 at Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota, at age 54. Wesley was buried at Fairview Cemetery, Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.
     He served in WWI between 1917 and 1919.

      Clinton Edward Stephenson was born on Jun 1, 1920 at Stanberry, Gentry County, Missouri. He was the son of Wesley Stephenson and Ersel Ellen Conover. Clinton married Angeline Banyard on Jun 6, 1946 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Clinton Edward Stephenson died on Dec 18, 1994 at Absecon, Atlantic County, New Jersey, at age 74. He died on Dec 12, 1995 at West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, at age 75.