BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

       In a recent post from Bobby Atherton, BHS-65, he told of his father's four-year deployment with the U.S. Army in Iran during World War II.

       In describing some of the conditions faced by our military at that place and in this time, Bob Senior, BHS-36, stated, "working in heat that hit 170 degrees and better in the sun." That quote and others was picked up by a publication....The Army Weekly.

       Jim Pratt, BHS-71, didn't think that was quite right. He said that the highest temperature ever recorded was the 134 degree mark in Death Valley California  on July of 1913. That's 56.7 celsius. Number two on the list was 55 celcius recorded in Tunisia and those figures are supported by Wikepedia and others.

       Anyway you describe it......it was d...HOT.

K-----K

       Gary Albaugh, 51, Boone. Born in Guthrie Center. GCHS-95. Army vet. Moved to Boone after discharge and worked as kitchen manager at the Boone Country Club. Later, he began a career with Fareway as a receiver in the cooler area. Married Jenny Lane McCloud at Camp Hantesa in 2002. Gary enjoyed weightlifting, bowling, attending Wrestlemania and playing bass guitar. He was a talented artist who especially enjoyed creating portraits. Survivors include his wife, Jenny, his stepmother, Laura Albaugh, his parents-in-law Brad and Dawn McCloud and seven siblings. Services later. 

       Hazel Buffington Lease, 98, Grinnell. Born in Kansas. Was a Navy wife. Earned a B.A. in Education at the University of Rhode Island, followed by a Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities from Iowa State. Married Garland Simpson Lease in Fort Madison in 1946. After Garland retired, the couple lived in Boone where Hazel established a Learning Disabilities program. In retirement, she continued to teach reading for adults as a volunteer. Three children survive, including Linda (Paul) Millis of Boone. A memorial service will be held in Grinnell. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Don Wright, 89, Jefferson/Eastern Star. Three children survive including Kelly (Mark) Olson of Boone. A private burial at a later date.       

       Gary Sherman Clark, 90, Ames. Formerly of Roland and Boone. Born in Boone. BSH-54. Started  work with his uncle, parttime, at Duffy's Appliance. National Guard and U.S.Air Force vet. Married Mary Elizabeth Adams in Racine, WS in 1963. Gary held various jobs in management and sales and retired from the Iowa State University Bookstore Textbook Department. Gary enjoyed coaching Little League, drawing, reading, listening to talk shows and especially following Cyclone sports. Above all, he was filled with a renewed faith in God, the center of his life. Survivors include a daughter, Catherine (Jeff) Boman, a son, Dave (Missy) Clark and a sister, Joanne Hansson of Boone. Services in Boone. 

       Sharon Steadman, 85, Jefferson. Six children survive, including LeRoy Jr. Steadman of Boone. Services in Jefferson. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Gregory Alan Evenson, 69, Boone. Born in Mason City. Worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad since 1976. Started as a brakeman, worked up to Engineer, and later to Director. He retired in 2019. Greg enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, He also enjoyed motorcycling, becoming a member of several bike clubs and taking part in various charitable riding events. Survivors include a daughter, Amy (John) Patterson, a son, Joshua (Sadie) Evenson, grandchildren and a sister, Carolyn Smit. A private family burial will be held later in Mason City.      

        Robert "Jim" James Snider, 91, Boone. Born in Madrid. Napier HS-53. Married Carol Lou Springer in 1953. Carol died in 2004. National Guard vet. Jim was an entrepreneur, owning Snider Logging Co. for over 40 years. He worked closely with Bill and Billy Thorp at Thorp Sawmill, logging and clearing land all over Iowa. In 2006, he married Sue and the couple enjoyed traveling and feeding the wildlife that would congregate nightly at their homestead. Jim enjoyed fishing in Canada, bowling in Madrid, snowboarding in Texas and Arizona, playing cards, specifically pitch, and dancing. He'll be remembered by his family and many others he touched. He was known as a great friend, mentor and neighbor. Survivors include his wife, Sue, sisters Wanda (Mark) Nord and Norma (Denny) Johnson, daughters Shawna (Ron) Kilstrom and Cristy McIntyre and Sue's children Mandy and Justin. A private family  graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery.    

        Ronette Alane Adams Bonnell, 66, Boone.Born in Boone. BHS-79. Her parents were John and Lila 
Adams. She attended PCI Academy and opened her own in-home hair salon, a 40-year investment. She had an eye for gardening and floral arrangements, loved attending community events, rooting for the Hawkeyes, enjoying music, riding motorcycles and cooking enough food to feed a village. Best of all, she loved being a mom. There were seasons that tested her in ways most people never saw, but Ronette met them with grit and grace, never losing herself in the process. She loved boldly and faced life head-on. Her children, Johnna (Jason) Toth, Adam (Alexia) Bonnell and Austin Bonnell survive. Services in Boone.

        Martha "Hannie" Anne Javellana, 70, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Florida. Miami Beach Sr. HS-74. Earned an Associate in Science Degree from DMACC. An avid fan of the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricane and Miami Heat. A bird watcher, she enjoyed Pokemon Go stops, Prairie Meadows, watching baking shows, Bible studies and music documentaries. Four children survive, two of Des Moines, one from Arizona and John Javellana of Woodward. A COL will be held at Westhaven.      

        Claudia Marie Fisher, nee Mattos, 94, Colo. Was the Colo Chapter President, held state office and was an Eastern Star Home Board Member. 

BOONE AREA RAILROADERS SERVED

       Iran? 

       Received some reminders of how fast time flies and how changes develop.

       Bob (Bobby) Atherton, BHS-65, recently dug through some of the informative memories of what his dad, Bob Sr., BHS-36, and many others endured during their World War II service.

       The elder Bob entered the military with 100 other guys from Boone County and many ended up in a military Railway unit in Iran for what resulted in a four-year tour there.

       As a Railway Operating Battalion, they hauled lend lease arms, trucks and planes across the desert and supplied the Soviet Union's effort to stop the Nazi's east front.

       Think of that now. 

       Iran hosting U.S. forces, including Boone railroaders, for a long period of time to help the Soviets battle the Nazi's. Remarkable.

       Several pictures and more detailed information about this U.S. service, including maps, was part of the information Bobby provided.

       To say the least, conditions for the soldiers were barely short of intolerable. Soldier Bob described some of it.......crammed in tents with eleven other guys, working in heat that hit 170 degrees and better in the sun, battling winter rains and mud and being rewarded with goat stew. Bob Sr. said, "after 21 consecutive mess kitfulls of goat stew, GI rations arrived and we got some honest to gosh Spam. Life was picking up." 

       The supply route from Iran to Russia was no picnic either. Some 300 trucks plodding along at 12 to 18 miles an hour through soft dust. It was defined as a "camel trail through the desert, unsurfaced, unfinished road partially hacked out of the mountains." 

       Despite all this adversity, these soldiers of the Persian Gulf Command, including more than its share of railroad men, provided almost 4.5 million tons of vital lend lease supplies to Russia. 

K-----K

       Worldwide Korner headquarters are still located in Boone, Iowa, 50036-4932. Telephone number is still 1-515-432-1530. Leave a message. To  email your stories/memories/comments/death notices......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

 

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Barbara Ann Wills McKelvey, 83, Ames. Born in Boone. BHS-61. Her parents were Sterling and Eline Wills. The family lived in several communities, including Boone. Barbara enjoyed music, movies, travel, Cyclone sports and was a devoted church member. Survivors include three children and a brother, Barry Wills, BHS-58, of Madrid. A COL will be held in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Mary Jane Stumbo Haglund, 80, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. Boone schools. Loved singing in her church choir. Had worked as a CNA at the Madrid Home and various food service establishments. Her favorite job was delivering newspapers. She enjoyed crosswords, music, riding her bike and all animals.Two children survive, David Haglund and Rebecca (Tracy) Anderson. A brother, Jim Stumbo, also survives. Services in Boone. 

       Benjamin Edward Franklin, 95, Boone. Born in Boone. National Guard vet. Married Lorene Clabaugh in Stanhope in 1951. She passed in 2017. The couple welcomed four children and lived on an acreage outside of Boone since 1958. Ben founded Franklin Construction Company in 1958. The company constructed brick work throughout Central Iowa, including several Iowa State buildings, Page Elementary and a portion of the Fareway warehouse. Ben retired in 2003 and his son, Tony, continued the business as FMC Masonry. Ben spent time restoring antique Packard and Hudson cars, as well as a rare 1923 Franklin sedan. He loved hunting mushrooms, nettles and enjoyed his coffee at the Whistle Stop and Hy-Vee. He lived to be the oldest surviving, founding member of the Hunt and Fish club. The surviving children are Dorine (Hall) Bloomberg of Ogden, as well as Boone residents Kim (Gary Riordan) Curell, LuAnn (Rob) Robinson and Tony (Mishelle) Franklin. Services in Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Benjamin E. Franklin, 95, Boone. Services in Boone. 

       Dwight Fabian Nelson, 98, Platteville, Ws. BHS-46. Iowa State degree in Agriculture Engineering in 1950. Army vet. Married Mary Lou Aldene in Moline, IL in 1953. Worked as a product engineer for John Deere Wagon Works, which later became John Deere Industrial Equipment Works. Lived in Moline, then Dubuque until a move to Platteville in 1969. Retired in 1984. Taught at the University of Platteville, then worked at a funeral home. Was a county supervisor, very active with the Gideons, loved to fish and hunt, camping, refinishing old furniture and music. Five daughters survive. Services in Plattevlle.       

        Nancy Louise (Clare) Reeder, 79, Olathe, KS. Born in Illinois. Longtime service wife. Leaving the Army life, the family moved to Boone in 1975 and a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born in Boone in 1976. In 1980, the family moved to their permanent home in Olathe. Services in Olathe.

       Gary Lee Pruismann, 60, Stratford. Born in Britt. Northeast Hamilton HS-84. Earned a degree in Animal Science from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo in 1986. Had a gift of working with animals. Survivors include his wife, Kristin (Kris) Klaver of Stratford, his parents, Kenneth and Mary Pruismann of Blairsburg, a son, two daughters, a sister and brother.