Dian Dobson Meek, 89, Des Moines. Born in Boone. Her parents, now deceased, were Ted and Virginia Dobson. Jefferson, Ia. HS/Iowa State. Married Bill Meek, who sold paper products to Boone customers. Survivors include Dian's husband, Bill, a son and two daughters. Services in Des Moines.
Alice Marie Kelly, 96, Thurston, Nebraska. Three children survive, including Julie (Myron) Oliver of Boone. Services in Nebraska.
You know it!
I know it!
There ARE Boone area individuals and, even some former area residents, who are very capable of remembering ALL Boone County service veterans, living or gone, by donating a million or more dollars to this new proposed Boone Veterans Center project.
In just, very short order, seems like a couple years, some, very hard working individuals, have worked to accumulate an immediate, reachable goal of almost three million dollars through any available short term means......golf tourney's, raffles, outright donations etc......BUT five million is the stated completed goal and nothing at the project site will be noticed until that five million is securely banked.
Hopefully, when three million is reached, additional money will become available via various applicable grants.
This project will re-invigorate something we all know well.........the numerous sacrifices ALL these veterans and their families have already given to this nation we know, believe in and love.
But, as years have passed, all of the various men's and women's veterans organizations have suffered, as previous members have left this life and, perhaps, the newer generation has not understood the mere importance of retaining "this great veteran's home of the brave and land of the free."
The result has been a unifying effort......bringing ALL of the local veterans groups, men's and women's, together.......as one.....to continue their effort to recognize important past history and continued service to God and country.
The kids are gone.....no longer need it.....and in many cases, mom and dad have even continuing resources but, with fewer objects or goals to look forward to or obtain.
A huge gift would be a winner for all.......the current financial donors and, of course, as a tribute to those vets who have given their great previous donation of time and, perhaps, even life, to make all of our lives more safe and meaningful.
Think about it! Make that big commitment, or even less, today.
Telephone......515-230-3222. Enter Boone Veterans Center website for further info.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are still located at 928 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
Arlene McMillen, 96, Boone. Arlene and her husband, Don, served at several Baptist churches in New York, Wyoming and Iowa. She spent the last years of her life serving the Boone Berean Baptist Church. Survivors include her four children, including Kay McMillen of Boone. Graveside service in Sac City and a COL in Boone.
Atak A Tong, 55, Ames. Grew up in Sudan. Moved to Ames in 1995. He earned an Associates Degree from Boone Campus, DMACC, and worked in the food processing industry
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.
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.
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.
Fred H. Bowes, 88, Boone/Westhaven. BHS-56. Survivors include his wife, Ruth. Services in Boone.
