H. Benjamin Hutchinson

WWII veteran was O-R head of photography. H. Benjamin Hutchinson, 87, of Washington, died at 8:40 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007, in Greenery Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing, Canonsburg. He had been ill since February. He was born June 10, 1919, in Washington, a son of William C. and Martha Paxton Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson was a graduate of Washington High School. He was Presbyterian. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in the European Theater during World War II with the Tank Destroyer Battalion, attached to 82nd Airborne Division, in Normandy, Battle of the Bulge, Utah Beach, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe campaigns. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four bronze stars. Mr. Hutchison was head of the photography department of Observer Publishing Co. for 35 years. He was a member of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175 and National Rifle Association. A member of National Press Photographers Association, he also was past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter. He was a former member of Veterans of Foreign War. Mr. Hutchison enjoyed photography, travel and reading. He also liked to shoot skeet. On December 23, 1947, he married Jacqueline M. Schultz, who died March 8, 1997. Surviving are a son, Mark W. Hutchinson of Washington; a daughter, Leslie Hutchinson Gue'gan of Paris, France; and a grandson, Sean Gue'gan of Paris, France. Deceased is a brother, Emmett Hutchinson. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, with the Rev. Michael Roach officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175.