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Lorin Corliss was promoted to Glory on April 10, 2011—his 90th birthday.
Corliss was born to Salvation Army officer parents, Majors Lorin and Elsie Corliss, on April 10, 1921, in St. Joseph, Mo. He was the eldest of four children—Richard, Elsie (Kogler), and Janet (Roth).
Corliss served in the U.S. Air Force as an officer, instructor and navigator during World War II. He attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1949 with a degree in engineering and securing a job at North American in California.
Living in Los Angeles, he joined The Salvation Army Los Angeles Tabernacle Corps—now Pasadena Tabernacle—as his place of worship. A faithful soldier, Corliss served as assistant young people’s sergeant major, a Sunday school teacher, and a songster (for 50 years). He proudly carried The Salvation Army flag in parades and open airs. Corliss was known for helping those in need. Through the years, he assisted many widows, lending a hand with the women’s estates and giving rides to church.
Corliss met his wife, Millie (Wiseman), also the child of Salvation Army officers, at The Salvation Army Camp Wonderland in Wisconsin. They were engaged on February 14, 1951, and married that June 23 at The Salvation Army Corps in South Bend, Ind.
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Debbie, into the family two years later, followed by Donna and Sherry, and raised their children in East Whittier, Calif.
Corliss enjoyed traveling, camping, sports and playing the playing.
He was known for his friendliness, sense of humor and generous spirit.
Corliss is survived by his wife, Millie; daughters, Debbie (Ron) Ruschmann, Donna (Jay) Schudel, and Sherry (Kent) Mitchell; his brother, Richard Corliss; and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nephews and nieces.
The Pasadena Tabernacle Corps held a celebration of life service; Major Ron Toy officiated.
Ernest Witmond, 94, was promoted to Glory on Oct. 24, 2010.
He was born in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 11, 1916. The family moved to Los Angeles and attended The Salvation Army Congress Hall Corps, where Witmond accepted Christ at age 9.
At 16, he graduated from high school and worked in his family’s laundry business during the Great Depression. He joined the Young Peoples Junior Band, played basketball and later became a senior bandsman. He also served as Young Peoples League assistant secretary, band sergeant and Sunday school and corps cadet teacher.
Witmond met his wife, Elga, at Congress Hall and they married in 1937. The couple was part of The Samaritan Players, a drama team that performed in churches throughout Los Angeles. They participated in the church musical sections and held weekly Bible studies in their home.
When the Witmond’s moved to Bellflower, Calif., they attended the Long Beach Corps where they were band members and Bible teachers. During this time, he worked for Douglas Aircraft until drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII. Prior to his deployment, Witmond was hospitalized and not sent overseas. He researched the information technology field, which eventually led him to computers.
Witmond worked as the Los Angeles regional supervisor for the Veterans Administration Western U.S. When the family moved to La Habra, Calif., he worked with several wholesale grocers in the computer departments. His final job before retirement was as a letter carrier.
The Witmond family eventually transferred to the Santa Corps—now Tustin Ranch—where Witmond soldiered until his death.
He is survived by two daughters, Violet and Sharlene; four grandchildren: Kaurene, June, Wendy and Erik; and seven great-grandchildren: Kenny, Zack, Charlie, Rachel, Kaleb, Konnor and Kingston.
Tustin Ranch Corps (Calif.) held a celebration of life service; Major Lee Lescano officiated.
