Rosemary F. McLaughlin, a retired lieutenant colonel, 73, of Butler died Wednesday afternoon at St. John's Specialty Care Center in Mars, following an illness.

Born in Warren on June 4, 1932, she was the daughter of John and Ruby Powers McLaughlin.

She was a graduate of Warren High School and the Spencer Hospital School of Nursing in Meadville. She also earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Case-Western Reserve in Ohio.

In her early years, she worked for the American Red Cross and later for the Pennsylvania Department of Health in Warren and Beaver counties. She was then employed at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, retiring in 1995.

She began her 20-year career with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 1962 at the former Greater Pittsburgh Airport, eventually retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. On Aug. 1, 1982, she was promoted by the adjutant general of Pennsylvania to colonel on the retired list of the Pennsylvania National Guard. She was called to full-time active duty as a flight nurse with the 147th Aeromed Evac Unit of the military airlift command in Vietnam during the late 1960s.

She was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Warren and attended St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, Butler.

She enjoyed spending her summers at her cottage at Chautauqua Lake, N.Y.

Surviving her are a sister, Romaine Barnhart of Corry, two nephews and a host of friends in the Butler area.

<B>McLAUGHLIN</B> — A memorial service will be held for Rosemary F. McLaughlin, who died Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at a date to be announced at the chapel of the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Private graveside committal services were Friday at St. Joseph Cemetery, Warren, with burial in the cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the <B>H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOM</B>E, Eau Claire.Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Butler or to the Butler County Humane Society, Butler, PA 16001.