Wallace R. Bookser

Wallace R. Bookser, a longtime Ohio resident and decorated World War II veteran, died August 30, 2018 in Cincinnati. He was 96. Mr. Bookser, who moved to Cincinnati in 2002 after living nearly 50 years in Springfield, spent more than 10 years as emcee for the Sassy Senior Show Dancers, a group of senior citizens who perform at Cincinnati-area nursing homes. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., he was inducted into the city's Soldiers and Sailors Hall of Valor in 2006 for his service as a lieutenant in World War II. He served as a C-47 pilot with the 10th Combat Cargo Squadron of the 10th Air Force in the China-Burma-India theater and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Oak Leaf Clusters. He moved to Springfield in the fall of 1954 to accept a position as vice president of the Thermometer Corp. of America. Later, he became a civilian employee at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where, in 1975, he was awarded the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service in recognition of his distinguished performance as director of research and development contracting of the Aeronautical Systems Division. He was active in Springfield's St. Teresa Catholic Parish, where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He also was involved in activities at Catholic Central High School, which his six daughters attended. In a June 2006 story in The Enquirer, his daughters spoke of Mr. Bookser's emphasis that they should be prepared for whatever life threw at them and said he told them, "You can do anything you put your mind to." They called him a perfect example of how to age gracefully and be adaptable. He was born May 17, 1922, one of five children of Myrtle E. (Brust) and Charles Henry Bookser. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of more than 55 years, Catherine (Pfeifer); sister Jean, brothers Charles and William, and sister Ruby, who died in early childhood. He is survived by his partner, Vera Poppe of Cincinnati; six daughters: Mary Bookser, S.C., Elizabeth Bookser Barkley (Tim Harmon) and Cathy Bookser-Feister (John Feister) of Cincinnati; Jean Brinzer (Ken) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Susanne Bookser (Julia Allegrini) of Newport, Ky.; and Barb Fraze (Jim) of Woodbridge, Va.; 12 grandchildren: Bill Brinzer (Marguerite Link) and Tom Brinzer (Becky Whalen) of Pittsburgh; Cathy Dakuginow (Steve) of Downington, Pa.; Katie Lavelle (Kevin) and Annie Horn (Lou) of Cincinnati; Liz Huesman (Joe) of Bethel; Jim Fraze of Columbus; Becky Shaw (Ben) and Jennifer Fraze of Woodbridge, Va; Jesse Feister (Emily) of Los Angeles; Scott Feister (Megan) of Camarillo., Calif.; John Feister of Chicago; and 17 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at Vitt, Stermer and Anderson Funeral Home in Delhi Sunday, Sept, 2, 4-7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, in the Mount St. Joseph University Chapel, 5701 Delhi Road. Burial will be Tuesday, Sept. 4, at St. Bernard Cemetery, Springfield. Please, no flowers, multiple family members have allergies. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Hospice of Cincinnati or Bayley Benevolent Fund. www.vittstermeranderson.com

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