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Submitted: 10/28/12 • Approved: 11/3/12 • Last Updated: 6/30/24 • R773425-G0-S3
COLONEL US Army
March 12, 1920 - February 24, 2012
Purple Heart
Bronze Star
Mausoleum
Joseph Milhoan
Obituary
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Published: February 26, 2012
Colonel JOSEPH J. MILHOAN JR. (U.S. Army, Retired), age 91, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 at Baptist Springhill Hospital in North Little Rock. Born on March 12, 1920, in Hartford, Ark., he was the son of the late Beatrice (Bach) and Joseph Milhoan. He married his childhood sweetheart on April 5, 1942, in Brownwood, Texas, while he was on active duty with the United States Army. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock, National Sojourners, Knights Templar, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (32 degree), Paris Lodge No. 378, Bendemeer Grotto, Royal Arch Masons, Royal and Select Masters, and the Razorback Foundation. He graduated from Paris High School and attended Arkansas Polytechnical College before being called to duty for World War II. Colonel Milhoan entered the Arkansas National Guard in 1937 and attended Officers Candidate School at Camp Davis, N.C. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. of Infantry on Nov. 4, 1943, and served in the European Theatre as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader until 1945. Upon his release from Active Duty, he was appointed a Captain in the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1947. Colonel Milhoan served in various assignments, stationed at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, to include Field Artillery Battery Commander, Executive Officer for the 39th Infantry Division Artillery, Officer Candidate School Commandant and Commander of the 25th Support Center (Rear Area Operations). He is credited as being instrumental in organizing and establishing the Officer Candidate School at the Arkansas Military Academy. He was a graduate of both the Field Artillery Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College. His awards and decorations include the following: European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign, Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Arkansas Exceptional Service Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army of Occupation, American Campaign Medal, etc. He was inducted in the Arkansas Military Academy Hall of Fame, and was promoted to Colonel in 1967 and retired in 1975 with over 38 years of service. After retirement he worked at the Arkansas Auditor of State's Office and was Assistant Superintendent at the Arkansas Veteran's Home. After his second retirement, he continued to serve his state and community by volunteering with AARP to teach classes in "55 Alive" and "Criminal Justice."
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Allie I. Milhoan, his parents and brothers, Roy Gene Milhoan and Kenneth B. Milhoan. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Joetta and Dick Duke of North Little Rock; his beloved granddaughters, Shannon Brundige and husband, Brett, of Centerton, Ark. and Rachel Wonn and husband, Jeremy, of St. Louis, Mo.; great-grandson, Bourne Brundige and great-granddaughters, Berkley Brundige and Andersen Wonn; sister, Lucille Clay of Springdale; sister-in-law, Kay Milhoan of North Little Rock, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear and trusted friends, surviving members of World War II 409th Infantry Division, Company B, and members of the Arkansas National Guard, all of whom he considered family.
Colonel Milhoan (Papa) always strived to "do the right thing" in life and to treat every individual with dignity and respect. He would never ask anyone to do anything that he wasn't willing to do himself. The military and his family were his life. He was honored and proud to have served his country, and would have done so until his death, if allowed. "You feel smaller when your father dies because he was strong and lifted you, carried you, and taught you, and when he's gone, the room feels too big without him". Each of us are better individuals because he touched our lives, and his kindness and generosity helped make the world around him a better place. His star will now join Addie's, and together they will shine bright in the evening sky. Visitation will be held at 12:00 noon prior to the service on Monday, February 27, 2012 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home. Funeral Services, with full Military Honors , will be conducted by the Reverend Guy Whitney, and held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2012, at Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117- (501- 835-3515), with entombment following in the Memorial Gardens. Arrangements made by Griffin Leggett Rest Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Fund of First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock, 6701 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116. The family would like to thank the staff of Robinson Healthcare for their years of loving care and support, as well as the staff of Baptist Springhill for their vigilant care and support during his last days.
Contributed on 10/28/12 by eagle12953
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Record #: 773425