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. 

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.

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      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.

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      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.

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       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.

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       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.

BROGAN AUSTIN CONTINUES TO EXCEL

       Once it got started.......it just kept coming. Success that is.

       The Kornerman is writing today about a trio of sometimes overlooked athletic events that our Boone High School athletes consistently basked in during the 2020's.

        Whether it was our water, great coaching by Hall of Famer Gary Achenbach and others, or just darn hard work, Toreador athletes in the distance running events during that time were a model of consistency.......earning numerous honors in statewide competition.

        First, a couple deserved mentions before the main focus of our story.

        Virgil Byerly, back in 1949, won the state class A 880-yard run, perhaps a forerunner to what could be that later Toreador success.

         Then too, Pete Kostelnick, BHS-2005, also deserves mention for his many years now of extremely competitive ultra-marathon feats on the world stage. He's been one of the best.

         But then we get to the crowded part.....the consistency of our Boone High program.

         In 2005, Logan Gonzales became the first BHS runner to become a state champion twice, winning both the 800 and 1600 class 4A championships. 

         In 2010, another two-time champion as Brogan Austin took both the class 3A 1600 and 3200 events. But, a few more paragraphs about him will be coming later. 

         In 2012 and 2013, Chandler Austin won the 3A 5,000 meter event and in 2013, he had also taken the 1600 meter run.

         It was also 2013 when Albert Meier won the 3A 3200.

         What a year 2013 was for those Toreador runners.

         In addition to those individual honors earned in the Spring season, Boone High, in the fall feature event, captured the class 3A State Cross Country title with individual runnerup Chandler Austin and Meier leading the way. Meier, individually, was actually a two-time runnerup.

         Other members of that state championship team were Jacob Runninghorse, Killian Toro and Jordan Murray.

         But, back to Brogan Austin who, collegiately, ran for Drake University.

         Now, based in Boulder, Colorado, Brogan is a member of a running team, Tinman Elite. The team's web site describes, "we are not a group, social movement, or track club. We are a team that pursues and cares about each other in pursuit of establishing ourselves as one of the most respected and recognized teams in the world."

         The team's goal is to raise the standard of elite distance running by training a wide range of successful athletes covering distances from 800m to the marathon. We work to bring out the best in ourselves, to inspire runners and make running accessible and relatable.

         Brogan is described on the site, "as one who has weathered the storm of ups and downs that running can bring more than most but his  staunch self-belief, insatiable work ethic and pure love for running have always won out in the end. After a tumultuous collegiate career, he quickly found himself running at an entirely new level. His newfound confidence and knack for late-in-the-race heroics were on full display at the USATF Marathon championships, where he stormed into the lead in the final few miles and never looked back.

          In his latest competition, Brogan, representing the team champion USA, finished ninth in the individual results in Ames, (that's right) Ames Spain. There were entries from 44 countries, including 147 men.

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         Regarding our recent talk about the Pufferbilly name, it was mentioned that Tolly Boyd, BHS-63, deserved credit for pursuing that name.  

         Now, Tolly's sister, Linda Boyd Bravard, BHS-61, has verified with her comment, "my sister, Tolly, has told me for years that she named Pufferbilly Days. So, I guess it's true."

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         The Korner pridefully continues to shout that viewers will find in our releases material, including numerous Boone and area death notices, that are "no-shows" from any other area news outlet.

         We love reporting the good news about our community and it's people AND those death notices that don't appear anywhere else. 

         We're always looking for news "tips" and more viewers.....so pass the word. It's all free for the looking.

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         Worldwide Korner headquarters are 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@gmail.com.