John Flynn

1939 - 2018

John Flynn obituary, 1939-2018, Hanover, PA

John Flynn Obituary

John R. Flynn
July 15, 1939 - January 16, 2018
Hanover
Chief Master Sergeant John R. Flynn, USAF (RET), 78, passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at home. He was the loving husband, for 60 years, of Audrey C. (Gladhill) Flynn.
Born July 15, 1939 in Purgitsville, WV, he was the son of the late Carl V. and Mildred B. (Rinker) Flynn.
John graduated from Littlestown High School and enlisted in the Air Force in May, 1957. He earned a BS degree from Southern Illinois University with post-graduate studies in aviation safety management at the University of Southern California. He is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. John retired from the U.S. Air Force after a 23 year career in aircraft maintenance and safety, including eight years with Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base then served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Twenty-Second Air Force.
Following his Air Force career, John began a second career; this time with American Airlines, on their Corporate Headquarters Safety Staff. While at American Airlines, he also served as chairman of National and International Aviation Committees including the NSC (National Safety Council) Aircraft Maintenance Safety Committee, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Technical Committee on Aircraft Maintenance Operations, and the ATA (Air Transport Association) Safety Committee. John was an FAA Certificated Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic and a Certified Safety Professional.
He volunteered nearly 20 years with the Commemorative Air Force, based in Dallas, TX. He was a flight engineer, aircraft mechanic, air show tour leader and flew as a crew member on their World War II, B-24 and B-29 Bombers at air shows throughout the country. As a squadron officer he also served in many other capacities.
John was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, York St., Hanover. He was a life time member of the American Legion Post 14, Hanover, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6954, Littlestown and the Air Force Sergeants Association. He also was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #763, Hanover.
In addition to his wife of 60 years, Audrey, John is survived by two children, Julie Flynn and partner, Ra Donna Burik of McMurray, PA and John Flynn, Jr. and his wife, Cindy Nestell of Athol, ID; three grandsons, Carl Flynn of Ann Arbor, MI, Joseph Flynn of Reno, NV and Patrick Flynn of Clarksville, TN; one great granddaughter, Avery Flynn; two brothers, Melvin Flynn of Marble, NC and James Flynn of Glenville, WV; and three sisters, Wanda Flynn Richardson of Windsor, Kathryn Flynn Bailey of York, and Alice Flynn Little of Hanover.
The celebration of John's life will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the Wetzel Funeral Home and Crematory, 549 Carlisle St., Hanover, with the Rev. E. Robert Burkhart, Jr. officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 5 p.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to The Commemorative Air Force, B29/B-24 Squadron, P.O. Box 763577, Dallas, TX 75376.
To share memories of John Flynn and view a video tribute, please visit
www.wetzelfuneralhome.com

Published by Evening Sun on Jan. 18, 2018.
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Audrey, Julie, John and family
I am truly sorry to hear that John has passed away. John was a friend and co worker of my dad, John Feil. My dad thought the world of John and from my brief encounters with him I can understand why. In his final years dad was pretty house bound and was in his glory when John would come visit when he was in the Fort Worth area. On the day my dad passed away, we were just walking in the door when John called to come and see dad. We told him of dads passing and he came right over. He sat us all down and told us dad stories that made us laugh and made us proud. The next day he did a fly over, what a gift! A couple years later, my sister Donna and I were in Boston for a friends wedding. We were sitting in the hotel restaurant grabbing a quick bite before going to see dads sister. There was a small group of people in the restaurant with their backs to us in a meeting, some in flight uniforms. To our amazement John was one of the crew. After a few tears and giving him big hugs he was able to break free from us and continue his journey. John was special, he had an aura about him that was peaceful and kind. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Susan Feil Krus

February 1, 2018

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Memorial Events
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Jan

19

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wetzel Funeral Home - Hanover

549 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331

Jan

19

Celebration of Life

7:00 p.m.

Wetzel Funeral Home - Hanover

549 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331

Funeral services provided by:

Wetzel Funeral Home - Hanover

549 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331

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