Sgt. Major James Edward Uster Jr. (USA Ret.)

NEWPORT NEWS - Sgt. Maj. James Edward Uster Jr., U.S. Army, retired, 63, passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001. A native of Williamsburg, N.Y., he had been a Peninsula resident since 1969. He retired from the Army in 1985 after 30 years of proud and faithful service, during which time he served two tours in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following his military service, Mr. Uster worked for 15 years as an engineering logistics analyst with Newport New Shipbuilding until his retirement last year. He was PER of BPOE No. 315, a member of American Legion Post 368, Loyal Order of Moose 1711 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8840 in Penn's Grove, N.J. Mr. Uster is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Shirley Uster of Newport News; one daughter, Theresa Hancock and her husband, Roland, of San Diego, Calif.; two grandchildren, Shawnasee and Kyle Hancock; and one sister, Jean Barkey of Ft. Pierce, Fla. Elk rites will be rendered at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Weymouth Funeral Home Chapel after which the family will receive friends until 9 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, in Peninsula Memorial Park with the U.S. Army Chaplain, Lt. Col. Joseph D'Silva, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.