Ben Vonachen, USAAF, KIA, 1944.

Last week Mrs. Louie Vonachen who is working in a war plant in Wichita, received word from the War Department that her son, Ben Vonachen, had been killed in action over Italy. He was the tail gunner in a Flying Fortress.

The Vonachens lived for a number of years in the New Eden neighborhood east of Coldwater and Ben was born and reared in that community. He was about 36 years of age. His former wife, Marycella Seyfrit-Vonachen, and their nine year old son, Donald Dean, live in Wichita, the mother being employed in a war plant.

No further information concerning Ben is now available. Friends in Comanche county deeply regret his passing. (SB)

Louie B. Vonachen is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri:
Vonachen, Louie B, d. 04/28/1944, US Army Air Forces, SSGT, Plot: 82 0 132, bur. 06/15/1949

THOMPSON, Maryella Seyfrit Vonachen 85 Pensacola, FL 1999-9-19   OBITUARY NOTICE INDEX - 1999 - PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL (ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA)

Mrs. Louie Vonachen is reported to be quite sick in a hospital in Pratt. The Vonachens moved there from this county to Pratt a little over a year ago.

BORN: Vonachen - On Saturday, March 20, 1909 to Mr. and Mrs. Louie Vonachen of Coldwater-tp., a son.

The sad news that two more Barber county soldiers are missing in action has been received by relatives. The soldiers are S-Sgt. Ben Von Achen of Medicine Lodge and T-Sgt. Ivan L. Cushenbery of Sharon.

Word sent to Mrs. Von Achen states that her husband had been missing since April 28. He was a tail gunner on a flying fortress. He was serving in the Mediterranean area.

The news that Sgt. Cushenbery is missing came in a wire to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cushenbery last Wednesday. The telegram said:

"The secretary of war desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Technical Sergeant Ivan L. Cushenbery has been reported missing in action since the 13th of May over Germany. If further details or other information are received you will be promptly notified."

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This page was last updated 07 Oct 2005.