Dayton C. McLaughlin, 91 of Binghamton, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Willow Point Nursing Home, Vestal, New York, after a short illness.

Dayton was born in Cannonsville on June 4, 1917, the son of the late Dayton and Gertrude (Huyck) McLaughlin.

Dayton was predeceased by his first wife, Laura (Lobdell) in 1942 and his 2nd wife, Florence (Keeler) in 1998. He was also predeceased by a nephew, Robert Turner in 2007.

Dayton is survived by his step daughter, Donna Lathrop and his step son, Donald Keeler both of Syracuse, nephews, Charles (Anne) Turner, Casper, WY, Richard (Susan) Turner, Walton, NY; Dayton (Cheryl) Turner, Los Angeles, CA; Kaye (Wes) Lancaster, Bakersfield, CA, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dayton was a graduate of Deposit High School, after graduation he worked in his fathers hardware store in Cannonsville prior to joining the U.S Navy to serve his country during WW-II. Dayton was a tail gunner with the Torpedo Squadron Twenty aboard the carriers USS Lexington and USS Enterprise. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Navy he went to school for embalming and worked for a mortician in Rome for a short time. He then was employed at General Millwork in Syracuse as a sales representative, and later transferred to Binghamton where he retired and lived until his death. He was a former member of the Walton F & AM Lodge 559.

Dayton enjoyed spending time crafting wood items in his woodshop and made many beautiful things for family members over the years.

A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 11 AM at the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Deposit with the Rev. Eileen Sloth, officiating, with full military honors.

Memorial contributions in Dayton's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society