CLEVELAND, November 15 — Memorial services are planned for two BLET members killed in the Union Pacific accident near Bertram, Calif., on November 10.
Brother J.P. “Jerry” Walker and J.D. “Joe” Artino were both members of BLET Division 660 in Los Angeles. They were killed when their train rear ended another train on Union Pacific’s Yuma Subdivision.
Walker, 42, is survived by his brother Jack Bender, sister-in-law Sentha Bender, fiancée Michelle McKinnon, and numerous nieces and nephews. Brother Walker was not married and did not have any children. Walker had been helping his fiancée with school as she took various college courses.
“He was a licensed engineer who was cut back to working as a conductor,” said Don W. Carroll, Local Chairman of BLET Division 660. “This was a very good crew.”
Friends and co-workers are planning a memorial service for Brother Walker on Friday, November 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zendejas Mexican Restaurant in Colton, Calif. (phone: 909-783-3600).
Artino, 56, is survived by his wife, Donna, and eight children. Five of the children are living at home, with the youngest being just five years old.
“It’s terrible that these young children have to go through life without a father because of this tragedy,” Brother Carroll said.
The funeral for Brother Artino will take place in the Worship Center of the Rolling Hills Covenant Church (2222 Palos Verdes Drive N. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, phone 310-519-9406) on Tuesday, November 20 at 1 p.m.
Carroll reports that he is collecting donations to help the Artino family and Walker’s fiancée. Anyone interested in making a donation should e-mail him at: BLEwolfman@sbcglobal.net.