Arthur C. Michelini

Lt. Col. Arthur C. Michelini (U.S. Air Force Retired) 83, was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, on March 6, 1925.He joined the United States Army Air Corps at the age of 17. He served in the Air Force for 23 years and his duty stations included Panama, Germany, France and numerous Air Force Bases throughout the United States. He was stationed twice at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, a location that he loved. After retiring from the Air Force, he accepted employment with Litton Industries where he became the Eastern US and European general manager. He transferred to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where he lived until his retirement at the age of 62. By 1958, he had also graduated from the University of Omaha. He met Sadie Elizabeth Cross of Dooly County, Georgia while he was stationed at Cochran Field in Georgia. They were married in 1945 in Dothan, Alabama for 62 years and had 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage. Second only to his family was the love which both he and Sadie shared for golf. Preceding him in death was his brother, Mike Michelini, his sisters, Pauline Berman, Irene Thomas, Mary Wentland and Lena Winchesky, all of Illinois. Also preceding him were his daughter-in-law Katherine Michelini and his grandson, Daniel Michelini. Surviving are his wife, Sadie Michelini, daughter, Maria Stroud, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, sons, Stephen and Stephen's wife, Mary Wharton Schroeder of Tampa, FL., Stanley Michelini of Barbados, Mark and Mark's wife, Zelda Michelini of Port Republic, Maryland, brother, John Michelini, sisters, Nora Kornesczuk and Minnie Mocarsky, as well as numerous nieces and nephews throughout Illinois and Georgia. Grandchildren include Nikki Michelini and Amy Michelini, of California, Francesca, Milani and Lauren Michelini, of Florida, Michael Michelini, of Arizona, and Jordan and Trevor Stroud, of Mississippi. His great-grandchildren include Mikayla, Daniel, Nicholas and Olivia Michelini. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Glenda and Harold Summers, Bonnie and W.T. Broadaway, Ginger and Mark Ledford, all of Cordele, GA., Judy Cross of Colorado Springs, CO., Heidi Cross and her husband of Germany, Michael Cross and his wife, of Atlanta, GA., Karl Cross and Ernest Cross and his wife, all of Colorado Springs, CO. Visitation will be on Monday, March 24, 2008, from 6-8 PM, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, March 25, 2008, there will be a 12 Noon Mass of Christian Burial at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS. Pall Bearers include: Stephen Michelini, Stanley Michelini, Mark Michelini, Ernest F. Cross II, Michael Cross and Scott Copeland. Honorary Pall Bearers include: Karl Cross, Robert Harold Cross, Ernest Edward Cross, John Michelini, Michael Michelini, Jordan Stroud, Trevor Stroud, The Honorable Robert Foster, Owen Whitman, Stan Tipton, Robert Walter, Edward Rood, and Mark Gibbons. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in the name of Arthur C. Michelini to the Alzheimers's Foundation of America.