Finally buried after 63 years

Sixty-three years after his death, one Fort Wayne World War II veteran finally got a military funeral.

Bernard Stoeckley's plane disappeared over the Atlantic on a practice bombing run in 1943.

"The family kind of figured eventually he'd be found and they would do something at that time, but it just never happened," said Stoeckley's nephew James Zuber. "It's been 63 years and he's had no marking anywhere."

Zuber never met his uncle, but he didn't want his memory to fade away. Instead, he arranged for a headstone and a full military funeral.

"Being a military person myself, my cousin and I said it's about time he got his dues of a military funeral," said Zuber. "He gave his life, we definitely don't want to forget him."

In the 63 years Bernard Stoeckley has been gone, his family said he's never been forgotten, but they said a headstone is now a physical reminder of the honor he deserves.

"You never forget people, especially family. You never forget," said Bernard's younger brother Robert Stoeckley. We felt it was a little closure, final closure," said brother Tom Stoeckley.

While his family understands his body may never be returned home, there is still hope his plane will someday be recovered.

"I still wish they'd find the airplane. I really do. They do it all the time," said Robert Stoeckley.

Until then, a headstone will forever mark his memory.

Bernard Stoeckley was a radio operator in the Army Air Corps. He was 20 when he died.