Albert Gaetano Rampone II, 71, of Warrensburg, Missouri, died Sunday, July 23, at his home after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services were Thursday, July 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warrensburg with Father Joe Bathke officiating. Interment took place in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri.

Pallbearers were Albert III, Scott, Jonathan, and Ricardo Rampone, Kimberly Adkins, Al Billings, Michael Ledbetter, Jerry Meisenheimer, and Jim Laas. Honorary pallbearers are current or former members of the Missouri Army National Guard 1/135^th Attack Helicopter Battalion.

He was born June 12, 1946, the son of Albert and Lois Stranges Rampone in Brooklyn, New York.

Albert graduated from Schlarman High School in Danville, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and earned his master’s in aviation safety from Central Missouri State University.

On March 9, 1968, he and Barbara E. Stieven were united in marriage in Jennings, Missouri.

Albert served in the United States Army from 1965-72 as a helicopter pilot. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1967-68 and again from 1970-71. His total flight hours exceeded 5,000 including 1,278 combat flight hours. He received many awards including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 55 Air Medals (four for valor in combat), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for Heroism. He was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard 1/135^th Attack Helicopter Battalion from 1972-96. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Albert is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Albert III (Tracy), Kimberly Adkins, Scott, Jonathan, and Ricardo (Katie); grandchildren, Mira, Albert IV, and Pierce; and two brothers, Richard and Jeffery (Cheryl).

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to APUFRAM International and can be left in care of the funeral home.