Maurice O. VanLandingham

Retired Master Sergeant Maurice O. VanLandingham, 93, of Evansville, formerly of Sierra Vista, AZ, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Deaconess Hospital Main Campus. Maurice was a 30 year veteran of the United States Army having retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. After serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of 16, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served his first tour of active duty in Germany. Maurice reenlisted in the Army eight times and had eleven years of overseas service. He was awarded European Conflict Medals, an Army Occupation Medal serving in Japan, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Indochina Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with two overseas service bars. At the conclusion of World War II, he served as a personal assistant to several physicians setting up hospitals in Germany, Paris, France and Austria. During his 30 years of service, Maurice served as a medic and hospital administrator, receiving many other medals and commendations while in Germany, the Philippines, Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and South Vietnam. He served stateside for nineteen years on bases in Virginia, Maryland, Washington and Arizona. Maurice retired to Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 1973 where he enjoyed playing golf daily with his friends until he reached the age of 90. He lived his life to the fullest every day; which included playing pool and chewing his Red Man tobacco. He and his wife, Elois, traveled extensively, having visited all 50 states and 22 countries together. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and riding his horse. He was a very giving, generous and loving man who supported his entire family if they were ever in need. Surviving Maurice are his siblings, H. David (Suzanne) Beckham of Evansville, Eddie (Edna) VanLandingham of Silver Springs, MD, Peter Jason (Sonya) VanLandingham of Duncan, OK and Faye (Sylvia Sanders) VanLandingham of Wales, England as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Egbert VanLandingham and Jeanette Marie (Ives) Boyll; by his wife of 42 years, Elois (Slaymaker) VanLandingham and by siblings, Joe Douglas VanLandingham, Lanell Bettis, Colleen Heckenlively and Mary Jane Dale. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Pierre Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Friday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Maurice O. VanLandingham

November 3, 1923 - May 16, 2017