John William Vasey Jr. -- Austin

AUSTIN -- A memorial service for John William Vasey Jr. will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, with military rites by American Legion Post 91.

Mr. Vasey, 92, of Austin, died Sunday (Jan. 9, 2005) at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie.

He was born Sept. 30, 1912, in Kalispell, Mont. The family moved to Minnesota. He began flying airplanes at age 15 and was employed as a flight instructor in California before joining the Air Force, where he served as a flight instructor. He also served in the Pacific Theater in B-29 bombers. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, he became an air show performer, doing aerobatics at shows in the Midwest. During this time he modified several airplanes for aerobatics performances. He also taught GI Bill flight training and was one of the founders of the Austin Aero Service. Mr. Vasey was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1997. He retired from active flying but continued his interest in aviation by building and flying radio-controlled model aircraft. He was a member of Freeborn-Mower R C Flyers. A brother, four sisters and an infant brother preceded him in death.

Friends may call half an hour before the service.

The family suggests memorials to an organization of the donor's choice.