Leo High Schoool Heroes: Raymond E. Jehli -Navy Cross Recipient

On April 7th, 1945 Leo Man Ray Jehli '39 flew from the deck of USS Enterprise, attacked and sank a Japanese Cruiser in the South China Sea.  From St. Francis de Paula Parish, Ray Jehli was a four year Honor Roll student at Leo played basketball and football before going to war.  Ray Jehli is credited with sinking one of the last enemy capital ships in World War II combat. President Truman awarded the Navy Cross to Ray Jehli. Ray's brother Walter '37 and Army Air Corps pilot was shot down and killed in 1944.

Walter is buried at St. Mary's on the south side.

Jehli, Raymond E.

February 12, 2004

Raymond E. Jehli, age 82, WWII Navy Pilot, recipient of the Navy Cross, beloved husband of the late Eileen Jehli, nee McGloin; loving father of Mary Virginia Flynn (Micah), Raymond "Jay" Jehli (Maureen), Patricia Heyne, Christine Jehli, Karen Jehli; dear grandfather of five grandsons and two granddaughters. Died Feb. 2, 2004 at home in Mesa, AZ. Services were held Feb. 5, 2004. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 2222 S. Dobson Rd. #401 Mesa, AZ 85202

JEHLI, RAYMOND EDWARDSynopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Raymond Edward Jehli, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting-Bombing Squadron NINE (VFB-9), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), on 7 April 1945, while deployed over the East China Sea. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Christ Welcomes Home A Great Lady - Marita Sheehy

My daughter Clare had the honor and privilege of meeting and in a small way caring for another Lady from The Greatest Generation: Mrs. Marita Sheehy.

Clare works for Smith Village in my Morgan Park neighborhood and has helped bring meals to and meet with our elderly heroes. They were once young and energetic kids from Chicago's south side who now form a band of sisters and brothers in a superb and respectful elderly care home.

Marita Sheehy, nee Eckenstein was a south side girl who lived through the Depression, watched her brothers and boyfriend Bob Sheehy go off and fight fascism. Like most women of her generation, Marita devoted her life to the vocation of Marriage and created a wonderful home for their many children.  All of the Sheehy kids are athletes, scholars and devout Catholics.

The Sheehy home at 80th & California in St. Tommy More Parish was place open to every kid from every parish who befriended their kids.  There was always welcome and warmth.  Mrs. Sheehy, like so many great women who raised us Baby Boomers gave the home and hearth their fullest devotion.

We are all blessed to walk the same pavement as such heroic women. Mrs. Sheehy is setting the table in God's kitchen.

Marita F. Sheehy, nee Eckenstein. Beloved Wife of the late Robert J. Sheehy. Loving Mother of Patricia Sheehy, Robert (Kathleen) Sheehy, Mary (Terry) McElligott, Donna McCauley, James (Patricia) Sheehy, Mary Ann (George) Holly and the Late Maureen Kelly. Cherished Grandmother of Katie (Nathan) Coutinho, Tracey (Tyler) Stilley, Brian Kelly, Matthew Sheehy, Brendan Sheehy, Patrick (Julie) McElligott, Kara McElligott, John McCauley, Megan McCauley, Michael, Sheehy, Alison Sheehy, Daniel Sheehy, Ryan Sheehy, Elizabeth Holly, Maggie Holly and the late Scott Simon. Special great grandmother of Conor, Sophia and Oliver Scott. Dear Sister of Patricia (Jack) Shanahan, John (Suzanne (the late Catherine)) Eckenstein, and the late Jean (the late William) Knight and the late Helene (the Late Willard "Bro") Luzzo. Kind Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Fond Sister-in-Law of Mary M. Lehr and Helen J. Finn. A wonderful lady who will be missed by all whose lives she touched in so many special ways. Visitation Friday from 2:00-9:00pm. Funeral Saturday 9:15am from the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons F.H. 9000 West 151st Street to St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Mass 10:00 am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions to the Mulliganeers (Giving Kids a Second Chance) 612 72nd Court, Downers Grove, IL 60516 or Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation, 2800 West 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 would be appreciated. 708-857-7878 www.sheehyfh.com.