By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A Mound City resident who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor is being returned to his hometown.
Funeral Director Eric Montegna with Pettijohn and Crawford Family Funeral Services says the United State Military used DNA to identify Wilbur Newton's remains.
Montegna says the Navy reached out to the family and asked if they wanted him to remain buried at Pearl Harbor.
"Or if they would like to have them brought back state side here to their hometowns for burial," Montegna tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The Newton family, which are at this point only cousins, that's the closest relationship to Wilbur Newton, opted to have his remains brought back to Mound City where he was born and raised."
Montegna says something like this doesn't happen often.
"I've been in the funeral business for about 32 years, and this is the second time that I'm aware of, that our firm has been involved in something like this," Montegna explains. "And both were World War II deaths, one in Papua New Guinea and now this one at Pearl Harbor, so it's pretty rare."
Montegna says this is a great opportunity for people who may have never gotten to, to honor a member of the greatest generation.
"A man who gave his life and service to this country to keep all of ourselves free," Montegna says. "So, anyone who can participate, I know Mound City is kind of not in everyone's flight plan but, I'd suggest anyone who wanted to pay their respects to come up and do so either on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday later on in May."
The Pettijohn and Crawford funeral home in Mound City will be open May 26th and 27th between 9am and 5pm for the public to come pay respects. Newton will be buried on May 28th.
