John Glenn, the famous astronaut and aviation icon, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95. The former U.S. senator from Ohio was hospitalized more than a week ago, although the nature of his illness or hospitalization remained unknown at the time.
The American icon died at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus surrounded by his family, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Ohio Governor John Kasich said in a statement Glenn will live on as “Ohio’s ultimate hometown hero”:
“John Glenn is, and always will be, Ohio’s ultimate hometown hero, and his passing today is an occasion for all of us to grieve…. As we bow our heads and share our grief with his beloved wife, Annie, we must also turn to the skies, to salute his remarkable journeys and his long years of service to our state and nation… Though he soared deep into space and to the heights of Capitol Hill, his heart never strayed from his steadfast Ohio roots. Godspeed, John Glenn!”
Glenn, a former Mercury test pilot, served as a U.S. senator from Ohio for 24 years after his flying days. Although a time and date for a public funeral service have not been announced, the Columbus Dispatch reports Glenn will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. in a private ceremony.
(Via Columbus Dispatch)