Navy Man Buried With Military Honors

Requiem Mass was celebrated for RM1 Francis John Zinda at 10 o’clock a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Michael Guinan officiated. Burial was made in the Wibaux Cemetery, the military rites being performed by the Wibaux VFW Post No 5611, and committal rites by Fr. Guinan. A military escort to the final resting place was provided, with Ralph Begger and Al Begger carrying the U.S. and Post flags. Color guards were Bernard Braden and John Marciniak. Edward Wosepka acted as Guard at Larg. Gilbert Park, Vincent Knanke– (missing part of article) sounded by Lt. Commander Lee and HMC R. R. Brown of the Naval Reserve of Billings. Lt. Maj. Jerome Bruski presented the flag to deceased’s mother. The ceremonies were directed by local post commander Jim Roberts.Pallbearers included: Dominic Begger, Roland Quade, Gilbert Quade, James Brophy, John Kahl and Robert E. Blome.

Francis John Zinda died at 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon, on Saturday, 14 Jan 1967, the victim of severe anemia. His body was flown to Billings and brought to Wibaux on Sunday, where he lay in state at the Crescent Funeral Home until removed to the church.

SF1 Daniel H. Watson, USN of San Francisco was the military escort.

(Wibaux Pioneer-Gazette, Wibaux MT, 26 Jan 1967)