Retired NSOs die.

The DAV mourns the recent deaths of four retired DAV National service Officers. The deceased are George L. Carey, Sidney C. Evans, Elmer Lee Mitchell, and John Richling.

"Each of these men were disabled veterans who became DAV National Service Officers devoted to securing benefits and services for men and women disabled in the defense of America," DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson said. "They represent the generation that came before us--the generation that strengthened the foundation of the DAV and made it possible for us to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families as never before in the history of our organization. We count ourselves fortunate to have had them among our ranks, and are deeply saddened at their passing."

George L. Carey, 84, a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died on Dec. 22, 2001, at the VA medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A service-connected disabled veteran of World War II, Mr. Carey enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

Following his discharge, Mr. Carey successfully completed the Educational Program for National Service Officers with Veterans' Organizations at The American University in Washington, D.C. He joined the DAV professional staff as a National Service Officer Trainee at the DAV National Service Office in Kansas City, Mo., under the supervision of DAV Supervisory NSO Arch M. Hale in 1947. Later that year, he was transferred to DAV National Service Office in Seattle, Wash. In March 1948, he was assigned to the Salt Lake City DAV National Service Office. Mr. Carey continued his DAV career in Salt Lake City, where he was later promoted to supervisor and served until his retirement in 1982.

Mr. Carey was a member of DAV Chapter 6, Salt Lake City. His wife, Winifred Jane, son Kirk, daughter Tamara Maher, and six grandchildren survive him.

Sidney C. Evans, 86, a native of Richmond, Mich., died on Dec 5, 2001, at the Flagler Pines Nursing Home in Bunnell, Fla.

Mr. Evans was a 1939 graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., where he majored in psychology.

A service-connected disabled veteran of World War II, Mr. Evans entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and served until he was honorably discharged at the rank of 1st Lt. in 1945.

In 1946, Mr. Evans entered and successfully completed the Educational Program for National Service Officers with Veterans' Organizations at The American University in Washington, D.C. He joined the DAV professional staff as a National Service Officer Trainee at the DAV National Service Office in Milwaukee, Wis., under the supervision of DAV Supervisory NSO Ted Corrado, and was assigned to DAV National Service Office in Detroit, Mich., in January 1948. Mr. Evans dedicated 30 years of service as an advocate for disabled veterans, their dependents and survivors, at the Detroit office before his retirement in 1978.

Mr. Evans' was a member of DAV Chapter 86, Flagler Beach, Fla. His wife, Dolores (Hall), daughter, Rhea Taie-Tehrani, and two grandchildren survive him.

Elmer Lee Mitchell, 86, a native of Flint, Mich., died on Jan. 5, 2002, at the Park Place Living Centre in Kalamazoo, Mich.

A service-connected disabled veteran of World War II, Mr. Mitchell attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1940, where he served until being honorably discharged in 1945.

Mr. Mitchell worked as a Department Service Officer for 18 years, and nearly two years as a Department Service Officer before beginning his career as a DAV National Service Officer at the Detroit DAV National Service Office in February 1966. Mr. Mitchell continued to serve disabled veterans, their dependents and survivors, at the Detroit office until his retirement in 1977.

Mr. Mitchell was a member of DAV Chapter 51, Dearborn, Mich. His son, Robert survives Mr. Mitchell.

John Richling, Jr., 80, a native of Lisbon, N.D., died on Jan. 8, 2002, at the Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz.

A service-connected disabled veteran of World War II, Mr. Richling enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939, where he served until his honorable discharge at the rank of corporal in 1944.

Following military service, Mr. Richling was accepted into the Educational Program for National Service Officers with Veterans' Organizations at The American University in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the program in 1946 and was assigned additional training at the DAV National Service Office in Milwaukee, Wis., under the supervision of DAV Supervisory NSO Theodore Corrado, and later at the DAV National Service Office in Albany, N.Y., under the supervision of DAV Supervisory NSO Bernard R. Jordan. In 1947, Mr. Richling was assigned as a DAV NSO at the DAV National Service Office in Milwaukee, Wis., where he was promoted to office supervisor in 1951.

In July 1965, Mr. Richling was transferred to the DAV National Service Office in Phoenix, Ariz., where he served as supervisor until his retirement in March 1981. He also served as president of the National Guild of Attorneys In Fact of the Disabled American Veterans for 1964-65.

Mr. Richling was a member of DAV Chapter 1, Phoenix, Ariz. His wife, Ella Mae; son, John III; daughter, Patricia Anne Passey; and a granddaughter survive him.