News article about war-torn lovers who were reunited 73 years after the fiance's death.

1. War-torn lovers reunited in death after 73 years
written by James Ehle
Phillip Koontz died in battle during World War II as an unmarried man, but the love
between him and his fiancée has stood the test of time. Mary Ellen Wygant was in cadet
training at the Methodist hospital when her fiancé, Phillip Koontz, went off to France to
serve in World War II. Burton Wygant, the nephew of Mary Ellen, said the two had
plans to marry.
“When she got through with her nurses training he’d be through with his military,”
Burton said. “And then they were planning to get married.”
The last letter Mary Ellen received from her fiancé dated June 23, 1944 was written two
days before he was killed in battle. Likely sent home by a fellow soldier after his death.
The letter was Mary Ellen’s most valued possession according to her nephew. The
stationery had become “tissue-paper thin” from Mary Ellen revisiting her fiancés words
over the last 73 years.
“In the letter he says ‘I’m in a foxhole writing this letter. I haven’t had a shower for 10
days, but I hope to be able to get to a place where I can get cleaned up.’”
When Mary Ellen passed away in 2017, her nephew made it his mission to reunite the
two lovers torn apart by the War.
“She had never made any funeral arrangements, but she’d always kept telling me I’d like
to be buried next to Phillip.”
Phillip and Mary Ellen grew up in the town of Roanoke and went to school together. But
when Burton wanted to bury his aunt and her long-lost love in the Glenwood cemetery,
he came across some obstacles. An area of the cemetery known as the “Kiilhsoohkwa”
section had restrictions against any more burials in the circle where Koontz was buried.
“We had to have her cremated because we couldn’t put another casket in the vault, and
that was her dream and I’m sure she’s happy.”
After a discussion with the town of Roanoke and a board at Glenwood cemetery, they
were fully supportive of the special circumstance.
“They could see no reason why her ashes could not be buried right on top of his vault.”
A love story spanning the course of over 73 years has now found a resolution. Although
Mary Ellen Wygant and Philip Koontz may have never had their wedding day, the two
will remain together forever.