Calling All Veterans: Woman Seeks Military To Attend Grandpa's Funeral

ORLAND PARK, IL — A woman has put a call out to any current or former military members, to give her grandfather an honorable final sendoff.

Former Orland Park resident Dr. Pierce R. Van Auken, age 98, died March 18 just weeks shy of his 99th birthday, his granddaughter Rachel Slabenak told Patch. He was a Navy WWII veteran, and many of those he knew have passed, she shared on social media. Slabenak shared details of his service, in hopes that any service members might be able to attend.

"I thought that by making an open invitation, his surviving wife may get some comfort knowing that, as a brother in arms, he is never alone," she wrote in the post.

Van Auken served as a medic in the Navy in World War II. He also piloted small aircraft and flew out of Howell Airport, according to his obituary. Life after the military was one of sport and adventure.

Van Auken was born in Michigan, but spent approximately 80 years of his life in Illinois. He first lived in Evergreen Park, with his late wife Sally. After her death, he remarried to Dottie, and they moved to Orland Park, Slabenak said. He was father to four, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of 11.

"Van played for the Detroit Lions Football team," his obituary reads. "He was an all=around athlete. He coached football, swimming, and basketball. He coached and umpired baseball. Van woke at the crack of dawn into his 80’s to swim at the health club."

Van Auken was in the Stockyard Kilty Band, a Chicago favorite bagpiping band, and was a tenor drummer. He was also an actor in many plays with the Beverly Theatre Guild.

Van Auken earned his Doctorate in Education and retired from Education in Guidance and Counseling. He was a wedding, still life, and nature photographer and won several awards for his photography. He belonged to camera clubs in the Chicagoland area. For more about Van Auken's life, find his full obituary here.

As one of only a few remaining WWII Navy veterans, Slabenak is concerned her grandfather won't receive a memorable sendoff, and is asking any available service members or veterans to join his family for a final salute Friday, March 24, at Resurrection Cemetery, 7201 Archer Rd. in Justice. Join them at Section 75, Block 36, Lot 6, Grave 5, at 12 or 12:30 p.m.