Charles Joseph Dinneen Jr.

In Loving Memory of LT. COLONEL Charles Joseph Dinneen, Jr. SOLDIER/EDUCATOR Dec. 4, 1919 - May 21, 2005 Age 85, of Montebello, California passed away at his home on May 21st. He was a California native, having been born on December 4, 1919 in Los Angeles. "Chuck" graduated from Huntington Park HS in February, 1937 and then attended LACC, where he organized a small band, playing violin, trombone, piccolo, and clarinet; having been a member of the Los Angeles "All City" Orchestra as a teen. In August, 1938 Chuck went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman, and then was promoted to engineer on the Los Angeles to Las Vegas passenger service. During World War II Chuck joined the U.S. Army, and began Officer's Candidate School in New Orleans, Louisanna. he was later stationed in Cairo, Egypt and served in the Transportation Corps in the China-Burma-India Theatre, earning the decorations of Asiatic-Pacific, American Theatre, and WWII, Victory Medals. Advancing through the ranks, Mr. Dinneen retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1979 and was a member of Reserve Officer's Association and National Education Assoc iation. After being discharged from active duty (but remaining in the U.S. Army Reserve for the next twenty-six years) Charles enrolled at Whittier College, graduating in 1948 with a degree in History. In 1950, Chuck earned a Master's Degree from Immaculate Heart College, and later earned an Administrative Credential. On October 17, 1953 Charles married his sweetheart, Alexandrina "Rena" Kohake, an honors graduate from UCLA and a registered dietician at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Health Center. In 1 956, Charles became a secondary school teacher for the Montebello Unified School District, where he taught 30 years, first at Montebello Junior High School, and then Schurr High School, instructing in World History and Geography and Health & Safety. Charles and Rena loved to travel. Some of their favorite destinations were Alaska, Hawaii, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean. Charles is survived by his darling wife of 51 years, Rena; four sons; Gregory, and Michael, of Irvine, California; and Rick, of Mont ebello. He is also survived by his son Gary, and daughter-in-law, Jill, of Los Altos, California, and three grandchildren. Additionally, Charles is survived by his lovely sister, Audrey, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kaiser Foundation Hospital Tri-Central Hospice, 12200 Bellflower Boulevard, Downey, CA 90242. Visitation for Mr. Charles Dinneen will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2005 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. in the Risher Montebello Mortuary Chapel. A Vigil/Rosar y service will be held on Friday, May 27, 2005 at 10:30 A.M. with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church, 820 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, with Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Risher Montebello Mortuary are Funeral Directors. 323-728-1261