Joseph Lohmeier

Monday, December 31, 2012

Joseph Lohmeier, 90, of Mountain Home passed away at home on Dec. 30, 2012, of natural causes.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Joseph was born on May 3, 1922, in Havelock, Neb., to Joseph and Edna Lohmeier.

Joseph was drafted into WWII in 1942. He was assigned as the flight maintenance engineer and top bubble gunner on the B-25 bomber. He was a decorated veteran, receiving the Purple Heart and other medals. During his time in service, he went on 38 bombing missions in the Philippine Islands. He was shot down, crash landed in the Pacific Ocean and narrowly escaped capture from the Japanese. He took shrapnel to his leg, however. After healing, he was sent out on more bombing missions.

Joseph had been living in Dallas, Ore., until 2004 when he started showing signs of dementia. At that time, he moved to Mountain Home to live with his son, Hank, and his family, where he remained for over 8½ years. The last two years Joseph had become bedridden and went on hospice.

Joseph is survived by his sons, Chris (Sherri) Lohmeier, of Portland, Ore., and Hank (Tammy) Lohmeier, of Mountain Home, Idaho, daughter Kathy (Keith) Mollala, of Oregon, his first wife, Virginia Lohmeier, of Portland, Ore., 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Nada Brammer, daughter Becky Corey and six siblings.

We would like to thank Legacy Hospice for the wonderful service that they provided and to all of those who helped along the way.