Philip Henry Ewing Sr., 88

HURLOCK, Md. - Philip Henry Ewing Sr., of Hurlock, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in his home. He was 88. Born in Easton on Aug. 5, 1920, he was the son of the late Joseph C. Ewing and Helen Marth Ewing. After he graduated from Easton High School in 1937, he continued his love of farming. He also took flying lessons at a near by airport. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the Army Air Force in 1942, where he was trained as a fighter pilot, flying the P51 Mustang. As part of the 339th Fighter Group, he flew 20 combat missions over Germany and France in the European Theatre. During one of the missions he was shot down in Alencon, France and lived in a French family's barn for six weeks until General Patton's forces commanded the area. He received the Air Medal for aerial flights against the enemy, the European Theater Ribbon with two Battle Stars, American Theater Ribbon, and World War II Victory Medal. At the time of his discharge, he had reached the rank of Captain. On Jan. 17, 1946, he married Janet Osborne and they recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. He farmed in the North Dorchester area the remainder of his life. He was a member of and usher at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Secretary, Hurlock American Legion Post 243, and the Air Force Association. In addition to his wife he is survived by six sons, Philip H. Ewing Jr. Richard Ewing, Joseph Ewing, Stephen Ewing, George Ewing and Harold Ewing; seven daughters, Janet Rash, Helen Wright, Doris Trader, Diane Jewell, Dorothy Ewing, Mary Bishoff, Theresa Rada; 27 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles and Bill Ewing; a sister, Mary Hessler; numerous nieces and nephews in Easton and Hurlock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John Erskine Ewing; a grandson, Brady Trader; two brothers, Joseph Ewing and John Ewing; a sister, Rosalie Nordike . The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Rev. Anthony F. Greco will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. John Pinkston, Brandon Rash, Keith Rada, Joseph Ewing, Joshua Jewell, Matthew Trader, Ryan Ewing and Jason Ewing will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Marc Ewing, Michael Trader, Todd Ewing, Gregory Wright, Daniel Rada, and Timothy Bishoff Jr. Donations in memory of Mr. Ewing may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, P. O. Box 279, Secretary, MD 21664 or to Coastal Hospice, P. O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802. The family of Mr. Ewing would like to publicly thank Coastal Hospice and all the nurses, especially Roslyn, for their dedication and support at their time of need.