Leon Jack “Jackie” Salmela, of Sebastian, died on Dec. 10., of age- related causes.
Salmela was a native of Sebastian, graduating from Vero Beach High School in 1941.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942 and served as a fighter pilot, receiving 3 Bronze Service Stars in the India-Burma, China-Burma and Central Burma Campaigns and the Distinguished Flying Cross and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and Asiatic- Pacific Theatre Ribbon and Medal.
He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp in 1945 but continued to serve as a captain in the Air Force Reserves until 1959.
Salmela joined the Brevard Mosquito Control District as a spray pilot in 1947.
Over the next 39 years he built a legacy of environmentally-friendly mosquito control and wildlife conservation.
He and his family deeply appreciated the loving care provided by Sebastian Memorial Hospital physicians and staff and Nightingale and Acucare home healthcare services.
Salmela is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Florschutz Salmela and their son Bobby; his second wife, Betty Vickers Salmela; his parents, Jaako and Saimi Salmela, sisters Saidi, Tyyne, Martha, and Lila; and infant brother, Andrew. Jackie is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, William Jack Salmela and Marjorie, and their children Jimmy, Valerie, Kimberly, and Jackie, and his daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Tom Mitchell and Tom’s son David, as well as his sister-in-law Sandra Waltermire and her children Rosi, Genie, Dickie, and Bobby and his loving niece Marty Pyke.
Survivors include his sister Edna Gould, her daughter Donna Draves and Donna’s daughter Lorie as well as several great grandchildren and other nieces and families of nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jackie’s name to Wells Fargo Bank, 1524 US Hwy 1, Sebastian, FL 32958.
Pending arrangements with the University of Florida or other suitable, well-vetted, nonprofit organization, contributions will fund competitive, peer- reviewed awards to graduate students and/or post-doctoral professionals associated with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and/or State of Florida Bureau of Entomology laboratories in furtherance of the lifelong work of recipients of the FMCA Provost Award in environmentally sound mosquito control resulting in wildlife conservation.
Questions can be directed to Joy Mitchell (352) 528-2256.
Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Home in Sebastian (772) 589-1000.
Visitation is on Dec. 19, from 2-4 p.m.
The service is on Dec. 20, from 1-2:30 p.m.
Family and friends will gather Dec. 20, 2:30-4:00 p.m. at 1141 US Hwy 1, Sebastian.
