Honoring Our Members. Remembering Their Legacy.
This space is dedicated to the memory of those who helped build our union with their time, work, and solidarity.
RECENT OBITUARIES
Those We’ve Most Recently Lost, But Will Never Forget
CONRAD FRANK PLONSKI, RETIREE
Location: Facilities
Retired: September 1, 2006
Deceased: August 16, 2026
SHARRON MARIE CORRIGAN wife of KEN CORRIGAN, Retiree
Deceased: August 4, 2026
MICHAEL MELNYCZENKO RETIREE
Location: Chevrolet Engineering
Retired: January 1, 1998
Deceased: August 3, 2026
JERRY GILLESPIE
Location: Design - Former President of Local 160
Retired: November 1, 2014
Deceased: May 27, 2026
ROBERT BETHEA – RETIRED (MAY 1, 1999) JANITOR @ CCO
Location: CCO
Retired: May 1, 1999
Deceased: May 14, 2026
ERNEST GHECEA
Location: DESIGN
Retired: March 1, 2020
Deceased: March 4, 2026
JOYCE LEE PIPER
Deceased: March 2, 2026
BROTHER DONALD E. HART JR.
Location: CCO
Retired: May 1, 2016
Deceased: February 16, 2026
DEATH NOTICE – JAMES RUSSELL VAN HORN
Location: Power Train
Retired: July 1, 2013
Deceased: February 3, 2026
RICHARD DUILIO DEL PAPA
Location: Parts Fab
Retired: July 1, 2008
Deceased: January 25, 2026
Norman Tomajko
Location: VEC
Retired: April 1, 2012
Deceased: July 5, 2025
Henry “Hank” Leonard
Location: VEC
Retired: April 1, 2012
Deceased: July 5, 2025
Dennis L. Thick Sr.
Location: VEC
Retired: April 1, 2012
Deceased: July 5, 2025
Joseph Tabone
Location: Parts Fab
Retired: July 1, 2008
Deceased: January 1, 2021
All Obituaries – Member Archive
A Living Archive of Strength and Solidarity
| NAME | LOCATION | RETIREMENT DATE | DEATH DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcel Dewitte | Powertrain | 4/1/1995 | 8/19/2024 |
| Michael Paul Katchka | CCO | 1/7/2007 | 8/6/2024 |
| Javier Rodriguez | Parts Fab | 1/1/2000 | 8/4/2024 |
| Stevan Hulliberger | Design | Active | 7/16/2024 |
| Carlos R. Caraballo | Site Ops | 1/1/2000 | 7/16/2024 |
| Ronald Arthur Gustine | MCD | 3/1/1993 | 7/5/2024 |
| John Mayes | MCD | 3/1/1993 | 7/2/2024 |
| Walter Rothenberger | Research | 1/1/2004 | 5/18/2024 |
| John Klucka | GA | 9/1/2016 | 5/15/2024 |
| Clarence Riddle | MCD | 8/1/2000 | 4/23/2024 |