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John Kneen ("Wich") Wichelns, 75, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away Friday, May 12, 2000. Wich is survived by his four children (all born in Albuquerque), Ken Wichelns of Albuquerque, Karen Weber of Pueblo, CO, Jan Cross and husband, Jai of Tijeras, NM and Jill Wichlens and husband, Richard Gabriel of Denver, CO; brother, Miles Wichelns and wife, Phyllis of Sacramento, CA; and three granddaughters, Megan Weber, Laura Gabriel, and Kathleen Gabriel. Wich was the son of Lee and Ellen Wichelns of Bridgeport, CT. He served aboard a convoy escort vessel in the American, European, and South Pacific theaters during World War II and also participated in the liberation of the Phillipines. After his discharge from the Navy, Wich attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he belonged to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Following graduation he married Maureen Butterfield on October 6, 1950 in Chicago, IL. Shortly after their marriage, the Wichelns returned to Albuquerque where Wich worked at Sandia National Laboratories and Maureen founded Marketing Services of New Mexico. He served as a staff member at Sandia for 34 years, working mostly in the purchasing and computing departments. He also served as a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and regularly attended church at the Aquinas Newman Center. Wich and Maureen greatly enjoyed their retirement years together, traveling to many regions of the United States in their motor home and flying to Germany, England, Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain, and Canada. Maureen preceded him in death in January 1998. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2000, 2:00 p.m., at the family home. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 216 Truman NE, Albuquerque, 87108. French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE.
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