Arthur Mathew Mimler

1923 - 2011

Arthur Mathew Mimler obituary, 1923-2011, Catheys Valley, CA

BORN

1923

DIED

2011

FUNERAL HOME

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

1490 B Street

Merced, California

Arthur Mimler Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 2, 2011.

Lt. Col. Arthur M. Mimler

Lt. Col. (retired) Arthur Mathew Mimler, a decorated WWII fighter pilot, POW, career USAF officer and rancher, passed away on January 31, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Merced. He was 87.

Born on April 21, 1923 in Bargaintown, New Jersey to immigrants Frank & Anna Mimler, Col. Mimler was en route to a career as a New Jersey State Trooper when World War II broke out and he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. After basic training at Mitchell Field in Long Island, New York, he received aircraft maintenance training at the New England Aircraft School in Boston, Massachusetts before being transferred to Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1943 he began his pilot training at Memphis Field in Memphis, Tennessee and completed his advanced pilot training at Grenier Field in May of 1943. He left New York Harbor in January 1944, traveling on the Queen Elizabeth to England where he joined forces with the Royal Air Force. As part of the 363rd Fighter Group of the Ninth Air Force, he flew combat missions from Rivenhall Field in Essex and Staplehurst Field in Kent, including three combat missions on D-Day, across the English Channel. While flying his P51D Mustang , Col. Mimler was shot down during his 43rd combat mission over Bazougers, France in June 1944, leaving him to escape by parachute. He hid in the French countryside with the help of local townspeople who also buried his plane and hid evidence of his crash. He was captured by the Nazi regime and forced to walk across Germany to avoid the allies and sent to thirteen different prison camps, among them the infamous Stalag Luft No. 3 in Poland. He was a prisoner of war for eleven months and after attempting several times to escape, was finally released in May 1945 when the allies liberated his camp in Mooseburg, Germany. Col. Mimler returned to Bazougers, France in 1997 where he was honored by the families of those who aided him following his plane crash in 1944.

Following World War II, Col. Mimler married Thena Knight in June 1946 in Manchester, New Hampshire. They then moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he was stationed at Ellendorf AFB, then to McGuire AFB in Wrightstown, New Jersey. In 1955, Col. Mimler was called to active duty and served in Korea as a flight training officer. After the Korean War ended, he was stationed at Ethan Allen AFB in Burlington, Vermont before being transferred to Madrid, Spain in 1960 as the aircraft maintenance training officer and advisor to the Spanish Air Force. He was stationed at Castle AFB in Atwater in 1963 where he served as the Chief of Maintenance before he was sent to Caracas, Venezuela in 1965 where he was the Commander of the Venezuelan Air Force as part of an international effort to reorganize the FAV (Fuerza Aerea Venezolana). Col. Mimler retired from the United States Air Force in 1969. Among his many honors, medals, awards and certificates, Col. Mimler received the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After his retirement, Col. Mimler moved to his ranch in Catheys Valley and raised horses, cattle, and sheep. He devoted himself to his community as a founding member of the Catheys Valley Volunteer Fire Department and manager of the Catheys Valley Cemetery. He was a member of the VFW Post #6049, American Legion Post #0567, the Mariposa County Farm Bureau, and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a director of the Castle Air Museum and the Mariposa Airport and served for 45 years as a representative from Mariposa County on the Area Board VIII for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Col. Mimler was preceded in death by his parents: Frank & Anna Mimler; brother, Herbert Mimler; and sisters Margaret Speyrer, Amelia LaCroix, and Helen Bartley.

He is survived by his wife, Thena, of Catheys Valley; his daughter and her husband, Cathi & Mitch Boze of Catheys Valley; daughter, Karen Mimler of Fresno; and granddaughter, Tanya Mimler Parker of Catheys Valley.

The memorial service will be held on February 10, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Catheys Valley Cemetery Pavilion in Catheys Valley.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Stratford Evans Funeral Home of Merced.

As Col. Mimler was thankful for the aid that the Red Cross had given him as a POW during WWII, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, any donations in his name be made to the American Red Cross.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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January 27, 2019

Daughter

Cathi Boze

It has been 8 years this week that my father passed away and I still miss him every day. However, I feel that he is still with me and gives me guidance.

May 26, 2011

C.S. Baillie

Cathy, Tanya - remember many years ago when we visited you from NC, and we all drove over to a little Colombian (I think!) cafe for supper? Uncle Art drove his big white Cadillac (?) and we were in a monster of a rented white Lincoln Town Car - we looked like a Mafia parade. I still laugh when I think of that.

I didn't get to see much of your parents past very early childhood, but those are the years when the strongest imprints are made on our lives. I have always loved him and your mother; I'm very sorry that you've had to say good-bye to him.

But there will be a Morning and I believe that he will be there waiting, looking eagerly for those he left behind.

All my love,

Your cousin Callie

May 4, 2011

Karl Bossi (Lt Colonel USAF RET)

It was with deep sadness that I read about the passing of Colonel Art Mimler in the May 2011 issue of my MOAA magazine. In May, 1963, as a new 2nd Lt, I was assigned to Castle AFB and the 456th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as the OIC of the Nuclear Weapons Storage Area. It was a distinct pleasure to have Colonel Mimler as my boss and a wonderful introduction into the active duty USAF as an officer. After 18 months, I left Castle for an assignment in Japan. A few months later, I was completely surprised to be awarded my first USAF Commendation Medal that Colonel Mimler had prepared. In 2003, I met Colonel Mimler again at a squadron reunion at Castle AFB and was very surprised that he remembered me after all those years. My son, Doug, was born at the Castle AFB hospital in 1964 and resides in Chatsworth, CA. My daughter, Debbi, who was born in Japan, lives in Glendale, CA. I extend my condolences to Mrs. Mimler and all the family.

March 3, 2011

Yvonne Kozaczka

Sincere sympathy to Thena, family and Tanya. Love,

March 2, 2011

Francisco Espinosa

Dear Theena, Cathi, Tanya and Mitch, just received the notification of Arturo's passing away. From Murcia, Spain we send you our deepest condolences.
I was lucky to stay with you for a few days last spring and enjoy Art's company, and yours too.
He's gone back to the Light and will take care of all of us, as he's been doing all his life.
We love you very much.
Paco Espinosa and family.

February 19, 2011

Adeline Chimier

Je me présente, je m'appelle Adeline Chimier et je suis la petite fille de monsieur et madame Fernand Plessis. Mon arrière grand-père a sauvé, votre mari, le Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Mimler, lors de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. Toute ma famille tient à vous offrir nos plus sincères condoléances en cette période difficile et sachez que votre mari restera dans notre coeur aujourd'hui et à nos futurs générations.

February 9, 2011

Lucinda Gunn

Cathi & Karen, What a special father you had. I'm a Spiritual Services Volunteer at Mercy Medical Center and I've had several visits with your father during which time he told me about you two and how much he loved you. His faith in God was unshakeable, what a love he had for the Lord. We prayed every visit and he told me many stories from his time in the military as a pilot and pow. I was at the hospital today and saw your mother was in but when I went to her room I found she was discharged this morning. My prayers are with you and your family. Your father will truly be missed until we meet again in heaven. God bless you for caring for your parents as you have.

February 7, 2011

Merri Vieira

Tanya, I know how close you are to your Grandparents, you are a very lucky woman to be able to have such great memories! Merri Vieira

February 5, 2011

Vicki Hayes Hallman

I am so saddened to learn of Colonel Mimler's passing. I knew something wasn't right when his usual Christmas call or card didn't arrive. After the death of my father, Lt. Col. Jack A Hayes, while stationed in Venezuela, Colonel Mimler, became the surrogate Dad to three young children. He popped in and out of our life over these years and became a wonderful friend,mentor and part of our family. He was a great friend to my Mother, Doris, particularly around the death of my brother. Colonel Mimler (although he said "call me Art" as we got older but that didn't seem worthy of the respect we had for him) was a kind, caring, sensitive, tender man. I always felt lucky to enjoy that side of him. For myself and my family, he will always be part of our greatest memories, enjoying his robust laugh and watching him square dance. To Thena, Cathi and family, our hearts and love go out to you at this time. Thank you for sharing him with us! Vicki Hayes Hallman & Becky Hayes Hazzard

February 5, 2011

Tanya

Posted by Tanya

February 4, 2011

amber platt

Tanya and family,
I am sorry for your loss. Your grandfather was an amazing man. You are in my thoughts. hugs. Amber

February 3, 2011

Dear Art: We were stationed in Venezuela together from 1965 thru 1968, with The U.S Air Force Mission to Venezuela. You where the finest Officer that I had ever met.We had many great parties and activities. I'll never forget the day that The Reid's came to your house for a visit. During the activities my youngest, the two year old, released several of your pet parrots. i have nothing but fond memories of you Thena and Cathy. You all are held dearly in our hearts. God speed Art

February 2, 2011

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