Milton Henry Littke, age 93, former World War II POW and longtime Oak Harbor resident, passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 at Homeplace Special Care Center in Oak Harbor.

Milton was born in Merrill, Wis., on Jan. 4, 1920, to Frank and Emma (Frantz) Littke. As a small child, he moved with his family to Northwestern Oregon, near Astoria. He graduated from Clatskanie High School. Milton met Maryellen Anderson in 1939. Following their engagement, Milton enlisted in the US Navy and was shipped off to the Philippines. Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, and Milton was the sole survivor of his detachment. After wandering in the jungles for several months, he was captured and taken prisoner on the Bataan Peninsula. He was held in Pasay Elementary School, Bilibid Prison, Port Area Manila Prison and finally transferred to the Lead Mine Kamioka, Japan. As a prisoner, Milton worked as a longshoreman. He was released in the summer of 1944, and arrived unannounced a short time later at his family home near Astoria.

Milton and Maryellen were married on October 12, 1945. The couple lived in Tillamook, Ore., Guam and Deer Island, Ore., before moving to Oak Harbor in the early 1950s. He continued with the Navy as an ADRC, retiring at NAS Whidbey in 1958.

Milton attended Skagit Valley College and Western Washington University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts. He was employed as a pipefitter/insulator at Shell Oil and Texaco refineries in Anacortes and Cherry Point. He was a member of the American Ex-POW Association; was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Freemasonry; was a Worthy Patron of the Order of Amaranth Tula Court #26, Coupeville; a member of the Atomic and Oil Workers Union; a member of the Fleet reserve Branch #97. He was actively involved in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, serving as Assistant Scout

Master for Troop 59, and was also active in assisting with the Camp Fire Girls. He attended Coupeville United Methodist Church, and later the Base Chapel. Milton was an avid rock hound and also enjoyed making ceramics.

Milton is survived by his four children: Richard H. Littke (Marie) of Oak Harbor, Willis R. Littke (Jennifer) of Fall City, John F. Littke of Poulsbo and Marilou A. Littke of Birch Bay; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters: Eunice Chase (Lyle) of Rainier, Ore. and Jeannette

Combs of Longview; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Maryellen on Feb. 10, 2010; also by two brothers, Clifford and Darryl Littke.

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at Whidbey Memorial Chapel. A Funeral Service will take place 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at Grace Community Church, 29470 SR 20, with military honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Interment with Masonic Burial Rites will take place at Hudson Cemetery, Rainier, Ore., on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at 2:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the American Ex-POW Organization, 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, #40, Arlington, Texas 76010-5396. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.