David is a World War II veteran who served in the United States Army as the first pilot of the C-46 Combat Cargo Group
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FL – David Collette, who celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on March 25, returned home to his spiritual family on Sunday, June 12.
David Walton Collette was born March 25, 1922, in North Tonawanda, New York, to Ralph K. Collette and Mary M. Collette (née Klock), his sister Joan L. Patterson, a retired Navy commander who served during the World War II for Naval Nurse Corps, preceded him in death.
David is a World War II veteran who served with the United States Army as the first pilot of C-46 Combat Cargo Group flying missions in the Asia-Pacific theater and when he was honorably discharged from his duties as captain, it has been noted that he engaged a long time above water. flights requiring expert navigation.
David was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, active in planning meetings with other service members of 7th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2nd Combat Cargo Group, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 5th Army air, and participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight in April 2009.
Under the GI Bill, David enrolled at Purdue University where he met his late wife, Janet L. Collette (née Reiser), who predeceased him in August 2005.
David had a good sense of humor and could be playful as his ‘Lucky Windy’ post notes that he once buzzed around the Purdue campus in an AT-6 and dove into a field hockey game which Janet was playing, pretending he was going to crash. David earned a BS in Civil Engineering and settled with Janet in Pittsburgh, Chicago, South Bend and finally Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
David and Janet, married for 57 years, had five children of 4 sons and 1 daughter, and David was active in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, enjoyed family sailing, fishing, camping, downhill skiing , ice skating and travel. cross-country in station wagons and motor homes, was a school board member at Homestead High School, Mequon-Thiensville, WI, was of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and was an active member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon , WI, as an elder, deacon, usher and volunteer.
Preceding in death are sons William Collette and Jeffrey Collette, and is survived by Ann Pharris (late Jeffrey Collette) and their children; grandson John Collette and granddaughter Caroline Collette (Isbel James); his daughter Janine Collette; sons Thomas Collette (late wife Renée Klewin), John Collette and Marion Collette (producer of “Lucky Windy”), and their child, grandson Jay Collette.
The family will be planning a service at Memory Garden of Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon, WI, as David will be interred there to join his late wife Janet.
Friends can leave their condolences online to Ammen Family and in lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated at the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society.
The family would like to personally thank David’s neighbours, Ann Rybicki and Karen Potter, Elsa Clark, Maureen Jones, Kathy Prescott and her team, and the palliative care team at VITAS Healthcare.
