Ivo R. Greenwell

Ivo passed away at home on Wednesday, September 28th, after a brief illness. He was at peace and was so happy to be home in his own room with his own things (and precious canine companion) around him. He enjoyed visiting with the many family members and friends who were able to spend time with him here. There were so many wonderful hours spent reminiscing and laughing together. He will be missed so very much. Funeral service will be Monday @ 10:00 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Tulsa. Services provided by Fitzgerald's Funeral Home at the Boulder Avenue location. He will be buried at Calvary Cemetery following the service. St. Catherine’s will provide a luncheon for those who wish to return to the Church after burial services. As a side note, Monday is also Lucille's (his loving wife) birthday. Ivo was born to Willie and Lula Greenwell in Tulsa in a small house on the thirteen hundred block of South St. Louis with his grandmother acting as mid-wife on Saturday, March 13, 1920. In 1925, when Ivo was a young boy, St. Catherine’s Church was built. He went to Mass almost every day that summer, during which time the pastor, Father Landol, taught Ivo how to serve Mass. St. Catherine’s school was built in 1926, and he attended there for two years. He also attended school at St. Francis and graduated from Marquette High School. One summer before graduating from high school, Ivo joined the National Guard and trained at Ft. Sill. His first job after graduating was at Lindy Air Products Company in Tulsa, where he worked while attending college at The University of Tulsa. Ivo’s college career was cut short when he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in March of 1942. He trained at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland before being shipped off to Karachi, India, to serve with the 490th Bomb Squadron. His squadron later became known as the “Burma Bridge Busters”. Steven Spielberg filmed a documentary about these men and their exploits, in which Ivo and others in his unit were featured. While on leave, he and Lucille Howard were married on January 11, 1944. He ended his military career at Hamilton Air Force base near San Francisco, and was back home in Oklahoma on October 5th, 1945. After retiring from his job in the printing industry, Ivo enjoyed traveling around the United States, visiting every state but Hawaii. He was an active member of 490th Bomb Squadron Veterans organization. His passion was writing, and he is the author of four published novels. Ivo and Lucille had four daughters - Mary, Sandy, Janice, and Gayle. Lucille passed away after a lingering illness in June of 2001. Their daughter, Mary, joined her mother on February 24, 2010. Ivo is survived by his brother, Fr. James Greenwell, by three daughters, Sandy, Janice and Gayle, and by three son’s-in-law, Dale Watts, Mary’s husband; Jim Reed, Janice’s husband; and Al King, Sandy’s husband. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and their spouses – Matt Harris, Kevin & Heather Maxwell, Kimberly & Ron Coker, Jason & Nichole Watts, Cory & Debbie Maxwell, Tamara & Chad Bruen, Monica and Jason Whitely, Amanda & Justin Stephens, Melody Watts, Josh Rudluff, Matt & Tara Watts, Adam & Serena Greenwell, Ashley Reed, and Ryan Rudluff. Ivo was further blessed with 15 great-grandchildren: Lauren Maxwell, Tylor Maxwell, Tayler Maxwell, Madison Coker, Morgan Maxwell, Joe Harris, River Maxwell, Nate Harris, Grace Coker, Emma Stephens, Ella Kate Whitely, Jack Whitely, Reed Stephens, Natalie Harris, and Evie Watts. Rest in peace, Daddy. We love you.

Ivo R. Greenwell

March 13, 1920 - September 28, 2011