I’m Emma, the daughter of John, a 76-year-old Veteran who passed away suddenly after fighting for his life for two weeks in the hospital. He fell and broke his hip, which turned into pneumonia, and everything spiraled from there. He wasn’t ready to go, but life had other plans. We stayed with him until the end. I am trying to raise money to help my family during these difficult times to pay for expenses related to his death which include medical costs and funeral expenses.

John was a father to six children in total. 3 sons and 3 stepdaughters. He joined the Marines at 17 years old and became one of the youngest helicopter pilots in Marine history. He was promoted to Captain and his unit was 1 of 5 to be awarded the presidential citation during the Vietnam war.

After his service, John became a teacher and taught all over for almost thirty years. He traveled the world with the PeaceCorp, drove a motorcycle and even lived in Fiji. John also went through the painful process of a bone marrow transplant to save his brother's life, who is still with us today. John would do anything for anyone, including the people he loved. Animals loved him, he raised wolves, had pet chickens that would sit on his lap, and could turn any feral animal into a loving pet. He provided safe and happy homes to many neglected and abused animals over the years.

John suffered from intense and debilitating PTSD for his entire life after the war, despite his hardships, he lived a full and beautiful life and was one of the best people I’ve ever known. The best of us always go too soon. John was a light in the world around him, he told the best stories and will live on through us indefinitely. He was my mom’s best friend and companion. All we want is to remember John and the amazing life he shared with us and everyone he knew. John was also a member of the Catholic Church.

Whatever you can afford to donate will help, every dollar donated will bring us that much more relief. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

It’s where I’ve fallen and where I lay:

Ashes to ashes, cradle to grave.

Dust to dust and cold as clay.

Where stone is chiseled and caskets draped

Where rifles volley and ‘Taps’ played,

With a farewell salute, lest we die in vain.

Thirteenfold Old Glory, bold and free.

“Oorah! My friend, the war is over for me.

Cover me, and let me rest in peace.”

-Dennis Spilchuk

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.' ” - John 11:25-26