Obituary of John Voner

John E. Voner, a veteran of World War II and a Purple Heart Recipient, passed away at the Sawtelle Family Hospice house on Thursday morning, April 12, 2012. The beloved husband of 60 years of Doris (Cain) he was 87 years old. John was born in Watertown. He was the son of the late Frank and Angelina Voner. He was raised and educated in Auburndale. John grew up in a large family and was one of 13 children. John was a veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Army. He was part of the 237th Combat Engineers, Company C that was part of the first wave that landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. During their mission and further surge into Germany, John’s battalion suffered a 32 percent casualty rate with John himself being injured with a piece of shrapnel. John was the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Victory Medal, the Bronze Arrowhead and the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Unit Badge that was granted to members of the 237th for their work on D-Day. In later years John and his wife Doris visited Normandy France and saw his name on the Wall of Liberty at Utah Beach. John worked for many years as a Cement Mason with the Cement & Bricklayers Union. He was an active member of the Woburn Senior Center where he had many friendships. He enjoyed playing pool and dancing at the center. John’s children and grandchildren were the center of his life. When his grandchildren were younger he would visit them every Sunday morning with Donuts! John and Doris enjoyed traveling and had taken Cruises, trips to Hawaii and Alaska, and they drove the California Coast and many of the National parks. John was blessed to live a full and active life filled with many friends and a loving family. John was the beloved husband of 60 years of Doris (Cain). He was the loving father of Charles & his wife Linda of Reading, Albert of WA, Alice Croke & her husband Robert of Burlington, and Susan Lumenello & her husband Peter of Burlington. Devoted grandfather of Victoria & Allyson Voner, Suzanne Hughes, Jeanette Croke, and Angela, John and Anthony Lumenello. Great grandfather of Alicia Hughes. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, April 18 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, 851 Main St. Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Road, #410, Waltham, MA 02541.