Jan 21, 2014

U.S. Navy veteran served in WWII, Korean War

Fred Folkens Jr., 88, of McDonald, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014, in the home of his daughter in Washington.

He was born July 16, 1925, in Canonsburg, a son of Fred Sr. and Jennie Dykstra Folkens.

Mr. Folkens had worked for McGraw Edison and Cooper Power Systems in Canonsburg from 1952 until his retirement in March 1988.

He was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific from October 1943 until June 1946. He received the Asiatic Pacific Medal with five stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Theater Medal and Victory Medal. He served again during the Korean War from April 1951 until August 1952.

Mr. Folkens was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Canonsburg, and American Legion Post 902, Houston.

On October 12, 1948, he married Doris Mae Hall, who died June 15, 1992.

Surviving are two children, Jacquelyn Guthrie (Dennis) of Washington and Larry J. Folkens of Burgettstown; a granddaughter, Melissa Pannett (Nick); a great-grandson, Simon Pannett; two sisters, Jenny Lancaster of Los Angeles, Calif., and Tressa Roupe of Washington; a brother, Thomas Folkens of Florence, Ky.; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are two sisters, Catherine Engel and Florence Colteryahn, and two brothers, Boyd and Joseph Folkens.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 25, with the Rev. Gary Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Full military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 191 and American Legion Post 902 combined honor guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Amedisys Hospice, 275 Meadowlands Boulevard, Washington, PA 15301.

Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.