Obituary: Everhart, Lynch H.

EVERHART,
Lynch H.

September 3, 1917 -
February 10, 2012

Lynch Hugh Everhart was born September 3, 1917, to Grover and Catheryne Everhart in Dodge, N.D.

He was the second of four children.
Mr.

Everhart was a distinguished veteran of World War II as a sergeant with the Army Air Force serving as an armorer gunner.

He fought in battles and campaigns that included Normandy, Northern France, and the air offensive in Europe.

Flying in more than 70 missions, his 54th mission occurred on the most acclaimed, D-day, where he served with the 386th bomb group.

He was highly decorated for his service, receiving the Good Conduct Air Medal and two Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf clusters.
By the order of the president, Mr. Everhart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an armament-gunner (tail gunner) on a B-26 airplane on 25 combat bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

His coolness and courage aided materially in the successful culmination of these vitally important missions and he was commended for his skill in handling his guns in warding off many enemy attacks directed against the safety of American personnel and aircraft.
Upon his discharge from the military in 1945, Mr. Everhart found work in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, serving in administrative and accounting positions.

Employers included Kaiser Aluminum, Johnson-Morrison-Knudesen, Boeing, The Dalles Powerhouse Constructors, Midwestern Piping & Supply, and Weyerhaeuser Pulp Division.

He eventually settled in Spokane where he worked as a postal clerk with the United State Postal Service for 25 years, retiring in 1979.

In 2003, he returned to Longview to be closer to family.
Mr.

Everhart is survived by a nephew, Floyd Steen Jr. (Norma); a niece-in-law, Carol Steen; three grandnieces, Pama Joyner (Frank), Lynda Renz (Bill) and Monica Steen; a grandnephew, Blake Steen; a great-grandniece; and three great-grandnephews.
Mr.

Everhart was preceded in death by his first wife, Teresa (Maloney) in 1986; his second wife, Dorothy (Parker) in 2000; three sisters, Alice Steen, Nina Hedman and Lucille Nichols; a nephew, Robert Steen; and a niece-in-law, Barbara Steen.
A private family service is planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans or the Community Home Health & Hospice.
Columbia Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.