John E. Mirus Jr.

A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX, with burial to follow in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home.

John was born November 11, 1922 to John Eugene and Ida (Bracklein) Mirus in Bayshore, Long Island, New York. He attended Bayshore High School where he played football. He also played the trumpet in the orchestra. He had a great love for the ocean, sailing, and followed his heart serving in the Merchant Marine. When WWII broke out, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1942 to 1947 as a PT Boat Torpedoman in Squadron 5 during the Solomon Island Campaign. He received the Asian Pacific Campaign Medal 2 Stars, American Area Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Victory medal for service for his to his country. He also served in the United States Army Special Forces “Screaming Eagles” from 1948 to 1963.

He met and married the love of his life, Philomena Bascetta on September 25, 1948 in Middletown, Connecticut. John was stationed and served at Fort Benning, Georgia; Japan; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Campbell, Kentucky(where he facilitated the reconstitution of the 101st Airborne Division); and Mainz, Germany.

His children have fond memories of their father’s paratrooper skills.

He loved his avocation as a Jump Master and took great pride in training his troops to become strong men to fight for our country, when needed. The children also remember their father’s delightful dialogue when he spoke about the bear mascot that also parachuted with his team.

He retired from the United States Army in 1963 after 20 years, with numerous awards and medals for service. He and his family resided in Bay shore, New York where he worked at Thompson Aircraft Tires and Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. In 1984 he moved his family to Abilene. John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and loving wife, Philomena, of 58 years.

Survivors include his; son Walter Mirus, daughters, Ann Marie Schaefer and husband Richard, Susan Cressy and husband Mike; his grandsons, Eric Schaefer, Michael Cressy and wife Nidia, Jimmy Cressy and wife Nadia, Brian Cressy; his granddaughter, Jennifer Lercera and husband Salvatore; his great-grandchilden, Gavin, Giana, Autumn and Mike Cressy, Salvatore and Adriana Lercera; his cousins, Neil Rising and her children, Peter, Brandt, Sally and Chris; Jacob Isbrandtsen and his children, Leise, Ellen, Neil, Hans, Madeline, Andree and Eugenie; Walter Isbrandtsen (deceased) and his children, Lynne, Carl and Dirk.

The family wishes to thank Northern Oaks Nursing Center staff for the special care always provided to John and support for the family. They also wish to thank the Integra Hospice for the support given to John and his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.