BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Michael Eugene Fairchild, 68, Stratford/Specialty Care. Born in Boone. His parents, now deceased, were Donald and Faith Fairchild. BHS-77. Grew up in Boone and lived, most recently, in Stratford. Michael enjoyed semi-trucks, collecting records, and going out to eat. He enjoyed the simple things in life, his interests brought him happiness and he enjoyed time with his family and those close to him. Six siblings survive, Doug and  Roger Fairchild, Becky (Todd) Rieper, Brenda (Randy) Stone, B.J. (Bob) Williams and Melodie Lawrene. Half-sister, Helen (Richard) Johnson is also a survivor.      

       Lisa Bill, 58, Fort Dodge. Born in Boone and earned an Associates degree as a veterinary technician. Her love for animals affected every aspect of her life from her early years and forever., especially her beloved cats. Met Mike Bill in 2000 and they were married in 2013. Survivors are her husband, Mike, and her mother, Sandy Schroeder. Services pending.

       Janet Marie Carter, 69, Bethany, MO. Survivors include her husband, Ron, of Bethany, and three daughters, including Christina Carter of Boone. Services in Lenox. 

       Joleen Ann Miller, 88, Ankeny. Among the survivors is a grandson, Josh (Keesha) Webster, of Boone. Services in Ankeny. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       William Billy E. Eatock Jr., 63, Boone, BHS-81, passed away February 8, 2026 and his final celebration will be held at Cedar Pointe at 11 a.m. on October 10, 2026. 

        Frederick (Fred) H. Bowes, 88, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Boone. His parents, now deseased, were Dwight and Clara Bowes. BHS-56. Marine Corps vet. Returned to Boone after service and joined Vogler Neiman Chevrolet. Married Ruth Askland in 1960. Began working with his brother-in-law and learned the flooring/countertop trade, which became his lifetime work career. During that time, he worked on Iowa State projects and for builders in Boone, Ames and Des Moines. In later years, he worked through Redeker Furniture. Fred was very involved in his four daughter's music, dance and athletic endeavors. He loved fishing in Canada, snowmobiling, was always open to adventures, which included sky diving a couple times for a birthday treat. The entire family of Fred and Ruth enjoyed many vacation adventures all over the U.S.A.. A proud church member, he took great comfort and pride in his Christian faith. Survivors include his wife, Ruth, his daughters, Julie (BHS-79) Bowes, Rhonda (BHS-81) Russell, Susan (BHS-85) Trow and Sonja (BHS-90) Bammert. Services in Boone. 

       Mary Lou Morris Sorensen, 91, Warren, OR. Born in Boone. Her parents were Raymond Daisy Tilley Morris. A graveside service in Warren, OR. 

       Garland Kent Renegar, 81, Ankeny. Survivors include an extended family member, Geri McMahon of Madrid. Graveside services in the Newell cemetery.

PURE BOONE NEWS

       Alright, even if you didn't know, which is unlikely, I, the Kornerman, am in seventh heaven when a Boone guy, especially in the announcing business, finds great success. Just the fact he IS a Boone guy, through and through, just adds to the delight.

       Eric Ver Helst, BHS-2000, has been a "lightning bug" ever since I first knew him during his much earlier years. Talk about scurrying around, Eric seems to always be traveling in a different, faster gear than most of us.

     He's here, he's there, he's everywhere it seems and that wonderful trait has, eventually, led to some great opportunities, including the latest.

     Our friend, Eric, has been invited to work at this year's NJCAA (that's National Junior College Athletic Association) Division II championship volleyball tournament later this month.

     The event will be held November 19-22 at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse arena in Cedar Rapids.

      Though the years, Eric has built an excellent reputation for his various public address announcing duties which have included many Boone events, from Little League on up to high school and in most recent years, as Sports Information Director at Boone Campus, Des Moines Area Community College.

      If you've been at one of those mentioned Boone events and hear that distinctive "announcer's voice" yup, that's him. 

      He'll represent us Booneites well and he's hoping the Bears volleyball team, "will be there with him."

      Congratulations Eric.

K-----K

      What a delight!

      If you lived in Boone in the 1950's to 70's era, you simply have to have memories of the Ferry family.......and many of those remembrances are linked to Boone High School athletics.

      The Kornerman has received an email from Jim Ferry, BHS-65, and, immediately, the memories started flowing. This large family, that included Toreador members from Kevin, BHS-72, to Pat, BHS-54. was 11 strong and just one was a very spoiled young lady, Sharon.

      Jim recalled, "Sharon, now deceased, was the second born and spent most of her early years helping my mother raise 10 boys. She was our "other mother" and we loved her dearly."

      The boys were John, Pat, Mick, Denny, Terry, Tim, Jim, Tom, Kevin and Kelly and "we were all in sports. I was number seven of the boys."

      The oldest, Pat Ferry, was the third born and passed away in 1967 in a tragic gyrocopter accident in El Paso, Tx. At his young 37 years of age, he already had six children.

      Jim, who I recall as an outstanding lineman on a Toreador team that was one of several at that time, the 50's and 60's, that were among Boone High's best ever football teams under Coach Merle Harris.

     Apparently, the boys remaining still get together to reminisce about those times. "We five remaining brothers, Terry, Tom, Kevin, Kelly and me, were talking about which of us Ferry boys was the best athlete in the family."

     "We pretty much agreed it was the oldest, Pat, even though Terry, after all-state high school recognition as a running back, went on to play good as a defensive back at the State University of Iowa for two or three years" Jim said.

      Pat was an outstanding track man, specializing in the middle distances.

K-----K 

      IT'S OVER.....

      The Kornerman is declaring that the debate? if there was one, about the naming of Pufferbilly Days is officially over as we have a decisive answer.

      Earlier, in the Korner, a couple of readers had given credit to Carylee "Tolly" Boyd, BHS-63, as the author of that name. Then her sister, Linda Boyd Bravard, BHS-61, followed up.

      NOW, EVEN BETTER.....we have the words of Tolly herself. She wrote, "back in 1976, Boone decided to have an annual celebration, so a committee was formed to organize it. That committee asked people to submit ideas for a name for the celebration. I suggested calling it Pufferbilly Days due to Boone's long story of railroading. The inspiration for the name came from the song that starts, "Down by the station early in the morning were the little Pufferbellys all in a row" It was spelled Pufferbelly based on how it sounded as it was sung. There was no internet to look these things up back then. My entry was selected and Pufferbelly Days was born. Years later, the name was changed to Pufferbilly Days. Who knew that the celebration would continue to develop and grow for 50 years! Over those years, the Boone Community has worked hard, generously given their time and talents, and built an enduring legacy. I was grateful to be a small part of it."

       Thank you Tolly for leading the way.

       CASE CLOSED.

K-----K

       I, the Kornerman, ask, isn't it great to, at least once in awhile, get some PURE  community news like we did in those way back olden but golden days.

       Many thanks to those who contribute (no, not financially.....never has been any charge and never will be). Any kind of good Boone/area news....that's what we're looking for and will expand on if received.

K-----K

       Worldwide Korner headquarters are still located at 929 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices.....https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot. com. 

 

 

 

 

 

        

        

 

       

        

      

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Fred H. Bowes, 88, Boone/Westhaven. BHS-56. Survivors include his wife, Ruth. Services in Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Susan Wilson Elsner Nickel, 85, BSH-59. Married Dan Nickel. The couple lived in Boone, Spirit Lake and finally, Guthrie Center. Husband Dan had worked for Alliant but was retired. 

       Cindy Holmes, 63, Boone. Born in Arkansas. An Army child, she grew up in North Carolina, Panama and was a high school graduate in 1981 from Fayetteville, NC. She married Jor'l Campbell in 1983 and they divorced. She then married Don Holmes in Boone in 2000. She was a stay-at-home mom until starting work at Walmart in 1996. She retired in 2020 after 25 years with Walmart. At a young age, Cindy attended baking school and she's been teaching her granddaughter that skill. She loved collecting gnomes and giraffes, reading, volunteering at bible school and spending time by the ocean. She's also been learning how to speak Korean and Chinese. Survivors include her husband, Don, and three children, Melissa (Chris) Winsor, Chris Campbell and Steven Campbell. Services in Boone. 

       Bruce Davidson, 75, Des Moines. Born in Boone. His parents were Helen and Russell Davidson. Ames HS-70. Services in Des Moines. 

       Reverend Frank "Father Frank" Charles Creamer Sr., 72, Palm Harbor, FL. Born in Boone. Grew up in the Miami area. His mother was Ruth Creamer and her father was known as "Boo". 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Lee William Meyer, 74, Boone/VA Hospice Center/DM. Born in Iowa Falls. IFHS-70, where he wrestled and was an FFA member. Navy vet. He married Debra Mae Cook in 1971. After Naval service, Lee worked for Rockwell Collins Avionics for 37 years, starting as an electronics technician, then, an international avionics trainer, followed by being a lead technical writer. He retired in 2014 and the couple moved to Altoona. In 2016, they moved to Boone to be closer to family. Lee and Deb were foster parents to 11 children for six years. He was an Assistant Boy Scout Leader, loved camping, competed in dog and horse shows and was a licensed official for registered horse shows across the midwest. He was active in church and enjoyed traveling. He was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. Survivors include his wife, Deb, his two children, including Melissa (Coltrane) Carlson of Boone, five siblings and his service dog. Service was held in Ames.  

        Lorraine Joyce Madden, 82, Stratford. Born in Boone. Her parents were Woodrow (Woody) Donald Cox and Alice Bernice Staley. BHS-62. She married Darwin Madden in Boone in 1964. The couple made their home in Boone and later, in Stanhope. Darwin died in 2024 and Lorraine moved near her daughter, Danielle outside of Stratford. For 15 years, Lorraine worked at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Boone and then, 15 years at the Iowa State Dining Hall. She loved to cook and hosted many holiday meals at her home. Three daughters survive, Deana (BHS-86) Williams, Danielle (BHS-93) (Brian Pribyl) Madden and Shaunae (BHS-95) (Jerry) Overturf. Also surviving are sisters Beverly (Jeff) Huston and Vickie (Randy) Treadway. A Gathering of Remembrance will be held in Boone. 

        Barbara Lynn Venema, 65, Boone. Born in Minneapolis. Her parents were John H. and Jeanette M. Venema. BHS-79. Barb worked as a clerk at the Iowa State University Parks Library until retirement. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Key West. She was proud of her Dutch heritage and enjoyed engaging in cultural and family traditions. Three siblings, Debra Thompson, John (Amy) Venema and Joanne Venema, and an aunt, Cheryl Flanders, survive. Services at a later date.   

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Dora Annabel (Bourne) McHugh, 86, Des Moines. Graveside service at Bass Point Cemetery/Boone.      

       Terri Burkhart McDonald, 68, Raymond IA. Born in Boone. Her parents were Layton (deceased) and Phyliss Carter Burkhart. After graduating from Iowa State, she worked for many years as a Materials and Logistics Manager. Terri married Michael McDonald in 2020 in Raymond. She was known for being selfless, creative, adventurous, loyal and with a dry sense of humor. A problem solver, she enjoyed the sunshine, riding motorcycles and quads, boat rides, traveling and crafting. Survivors include her husband, Michael, her mother, Phyliss Burkhart, and two siblings. A COL is planned for later. 

         Tammy Albright Mortenson, 52, Ankeny. Grew up in Madrid. MHS-92...29 members strong. Her parents are Kathy and Larry Albright. She married Zac Mortenson in 1996. An Iowa State graduate in 2000 in Child and Family Services. Later, she then completed her Registered Nursing Degree in 2011 and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and became an Advanced Registered Nurse. She also earned her pediatric nursing certificate and was set to test for her mental health certificate this September. Obviously, caring for people was her passion. Most recently, she was a palliative care nurse practitioner with Unity Point. Survivors include her husband, Zac, two daughters, Aliva (Trevor) Rhodes and Jadyn Mortenson, a sister, Terri (Ross) Boeding-Lincoln,  and a brother, Bill (Jill) Albright. No services but a party will be held in Ankeny.