BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Rex Davis, 99, Harlan/Elm Crest Senior Living. Born in Boone. Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson HS. Marine vet. Service in Avoca.

       Arlene Jane  Chally, 86, Stratford. Born in Webster City. Her parents were Sidney L.Q. Westrum and Geraldine Edna Speck. Grew up on a farm east of Stratford. Attended Iowa State University and was an avid Cyclone fan.. Married Jerold Lee Chally, who is a big Hawkeye fan, in 1962. The couple spent their lives farming. A homemaker, Arlene also worked at ISU in the Employee Benefits Office for 15 years before retirement. She was a talented seamstress and baker with quilts and delicious apple pies being her passion. Arlene was also a talented singer and skilled pianist. Survivors include her husband, Jerold, three children, including Bill (Dawn) Chally of Sratford. A private graveside service is planned. 

THEY REMEMBER, THEY SPEAK

        This is great.

        Some fellow oldtimers showing a little love for, a bit of respect to their past.

        A couple of recent Korner columns "woke them up" a bit, got them thinkin' about some things and, to add more meat to the plaudits, they're coming from a pair just a slight bit older than the Kornerman, 
BHS-53, That's important.....that doesn't happen too often anymore.

        Old buddy Stanley Moffitt, BHS-52, called with a reply to the Kornerman about substitutes, a role he said he was well versed in.

        Oh yes, I remember those Toreador football teams of yore when, as substitutes, we were all vying for playing time.

        Stan said that he and his buddy, Bob Sunstrom, a pair of lineman, wanted to show their "stuff" but "it didn't happen often enough." "I was always so jealous of those guys who got into the games and it showed, uniforms stained and sweaty." "Meantime, my uniform was as clean and neat  as it could be," he chuckled.

        Actually, Stan was just happy to "be there." He had tried the cornet but said that he and the instrument didn't get along well. "Finally, when I was a sophomore, Don Green, the BHS band director, suggested that I give football a try......and I did."

        As time has passed, there have been many opportunities to shine by simply being a good teammate, in school and beyond, and Stanley has not only been a great leader of the Boone business community, he has served over 50 years as a Board Member of the S.L. Moore Foundation and as the Boone representative on the Des Moines YMCA Camp board located northwest of town. He's also President of the BHS class of '52 but admits meeting attendance is dwindling.

        Stan mentioned his admiration for the "Y" spokesperson, Ray Pugh, who many Booneites recall as one of the best motivational speakers ever. He rambled about various other Toreador athletic teams and their achievements including  great fan and cheerleader support from Doris Krug, Sue Sovereign and many others.

        Like many of the rest of us, the voice isn't as strong and various devices are used for getting around but the will and spirit are still very much "alive" and it was wonderful to hear that a Korner column actually encouraged him to "speak out" and relive some fun moments of a wonderful 90 plus years.

K-----K

        Then there's Vern Modeland, BHS-50.

        A faithful Korner participant, he enjoyed our recent column about the Boone/Ames connection.

        He wrote, "I couldn't agree more with your observation as Boone becomes the bedroom and perceived scenic escape route to college town over east of you and creeping. I remember at about 13, riding my bicycle over to Ames on a personal adventure "just cause I could." Fifteen miles on the two paved lanes of the Lincoln Highway, where I probably didn't encounter a half dozen cars as I pedaled along parallel to the railroad and up next to one of those curbings that marked the cement limit. Society was mostly corn and cows. When I got home, my mother just asked casually, "where have you been?" I said, "Riding my bike." No worry about dangerous traffic or being attacked or much else other than how painful my seat got. It was a kinder and gentler world. Thank you Boone for letting me grow up in it."

K-----K

        Tom Peterson, BHS-67, enjoyed the column about Lindy's and added, "strawberry flavor was my favorite, especially with vanilla ice cream."

K-----K

         Loren Frazier, BHS-58, sent these.....quotations.

         Prince Philip - When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife; Arnold Schwarzenegger - Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars but I was just as happy as when I had 48 million; Johnny Carson - If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive today and all those impersonators would be dead; John Glenn - As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind. Every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder; Howard Hughes - I'm not a paranoid, deranged millionaire. Actually, I'm a billionaire; David Letterman - America is the only country where a significant portion of the population believes professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was fake.

K-----K

       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@blogspot.com. 

          

 

        

         

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Robert Donald Rinehart, 83, Ames. Formerly of Boone. Victim of a tragic accident. While walking, Robert was  hit by a car in Ames and succumbed of his injuries at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Born in Boone. BHS-61.Bob married Theresa Lowry in Grand Junction in 1965. They divorced. He earned degrees from Southwest Missouri State University and a Masters in Education from  the University of Northern Iowa. Taught high school accounting in Wisconsin for 20 years. He was also an over-the-road truck driver. After retiring from trucking, he worked at Boone Hy-Vee as a floral and pharmacy delivery driver. He enjoyed camping, fishing and going to casino's. Survivors include his three children, Mark, Jennifer and Nick as well as siblings Jolene Martin, Joanne Coy, Jackie Rinehart and Marty (Gayle)  Rinehart. No service is in plan at this time.  

        LATE INFORMATION: Dixie Lee Howard Knight, 81, Palm Beach Garden, FL. passed away May 2, 2026 after  a long battle with dementia. Born in Iowa. Was the fifth of 10 children. BHS-62. At age 19, married Dean Knight. Dixie was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed domestic travel. When Dean's work took him away from home, she loved homeschooling daughter Jessica so they could travel along with him and see more of the U.S. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She enjoyed making pancakes for Ivan on weekends before his baseball games and she never missed any of Bella's musicals or ice skating competitions. Dixie and Dean had four children, Jennifer, Jason and Jerrica and, Chantelle, who passed away in 1964. Services in Boone, July 11, with a graveside service and luncheon.

       Arlene J. Chally, 86, Stratford. A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. 

       Julie Renee Nelson Howard, 63, Ogden. Born in Boone. BHS-82. Her parents, now deceased, were Larry D. and Karen (Bass) Nelson. Worked at the former Tic Toc Restaurant and then for many years at Thermomass (Leviat) in Boone until retiring due to failing health.She married Alan Howard in Boone in 1988. Julie loved cooking and baking. Her family especially enjoyed her ham balls and cheesy potatoes. Survivors include her husband, Alan, two sons, Christopher and Matthew Howard all of Ogden, her two daughters, including Lindsay (Dustin Hanson) Howard of Logansport and a sister, Lorie (Larry) Ealy of Boone. Services in Ogden and Boone.

       Darci Lynne Shell Munford, 59, Des Moines. Death due to a long battle with breast cancer. Born in Boone to Leland and Alma Calhoon Shell. Grew up in Madrid. Very academic and involved in band, sports and 4-H. Was class valedictorian. Baptized in Boone at Trinity and confirmed at St. John's in Madrid. Earned a degree from Iowa State in Family Resource Management. After marriage and a move to southeast Iowa, she became a tax preparer, a rural mail carrier and sold vegetables from her garden. She also had a long career in finance, beginning as a teller at the Madrid branch of Commercial Federal Bank. She retired as an Assistant Vice President and Private Banker for Morgan Stanley. Darci loved road trips, hiking, camping, kayaking and spending time outdoors. Three daughters, her mother and two sisters survive. Services in Madrid. 

JUST NOT THE SAME

       I'm so sorry.......but I don't like it.

       Maybe I'm in a whiney stage but, in most cases, I declare I simply don't like most substitutes.

       There, I've said it and I'm glad.

        BUT WAIT.......just like you and you and you, I, myself, have been a substitute. Whether it was on my eighth grade basketball team, becoming chairman of the Boone County United Way board or replacing two of the best speakers this state has ever known, I, was a substitute, a replacement.

         Oh goodie, I've been looking for a way to use that word, oxymoron, sometime and this must be it. 

        There were various other sports teams along the way that forced me to "wait my turn." Then, one year when the REAL United Way head man's illness forced a change, being number two, I was the "next in line."  Most notable of all, I guess, were two different times when it was my obligation to fill in for two of Iowa's most renowned speakers......my old boss Bernie Saggau and the revered Jim Duncan, best known for his brilliance as the Drake Relays announcer. I know, filling in for greatness, isn't always easy but is oftentimes required.

         BREAKING NEWS......has anyone noticed Iowa's Caitlyn Clark has been in the news lately?? Oh my gosh. What has happened to important stuff like high gas prices or the attacks on ICE and that war thing involving Iran? All have been overshadowed by an Iowa girl's inherited throat problem.

         Back to my original thought. Here's the gist of my complaint. It really bothers me to have five days (usually) of good television news, sports and weather reporting, followed by a weekend or holiday of ...........substitutes. Its just not the same and I realize we all need a break on occasion. While we're at it, how about the times when the "normal" TV schedule is turned upside down by some replacement brouhaha.

         But, there's more. Blue Bunny has discontinued one of my favorite ice cream flavors, butter brickle and I can't find a good enough substitute. Then there's Boyd's malts, the Eighth Street coneys and the Lincoln Restaurant's fried chicken. They can never be adequately replaced. Good luck finding an equal substitute. Surely some number "2s" are lurking and hoping,.

         The other day, at a local establishment, I was waited on by a young man wearing a very colorful shirt with four-inch high "DORS" staring at me. Yup.....a poor replacement for the much more classy Toreadors. I tried, but it was hard to ignore. I love my town and my school and all its teams but I still don't care for this particular "substitute."

          Finally there's this.........a feeling of great sadness for Jeri Ann Ritter, WHO-TV, and Janice Dean, Fox News. Both are television meteorologists and both have been diagnosed with similar life-altering illnesses, Jeri Ann with ALS and Janice with MS. The illnesses have forced early retirements for both, who have served their constituents for 20 years plus. Numerous replacements are  there to choose from and some will be very good I'm sure, but that special "something" will be missing.

         C'mon now, admit it. Surely I'm not the only one. We've all seen "both sides".....there's that oxymoron thing again..... and have our varied opinions about these "things."

         Come to think of it......maybe this one-time substitute, the old Kornerman, can thank my lucky stars for the many opportunities I've been given in my lifetime to reach for better and higher opportunities. I'm extremely thankful.

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. 

 

          

 

          

 

 

          

         

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Pamela Frances Hike O' Tool Leytham, 82, Boone. Formerly of Woodbine. Born in Carroll. Married Melvin O'Tool and they divorced. Married Kenny Leytham  in 1991. Patricia worked for State Farm for 18 years, both in Woodbine and Boone. In Woodbine, she was a librarian for the children's library for eight years. Patricia enjoyed quilting, making all occasion cards and scrapbooking. She was a member of the Good Agers Club at Trinity Lutheran Church, belonged to the Red Hat Society and sang with the Sweet Adelines. Three children survive, Shawn (Raylene) O'Tool and Joey O'Tool of Boone and Michelle (Jerry) Hanson of Dayton. Other survivors include a daughter-in-law, Devon O'Tool, of Boone and a sister, Marilyn (Larry) Jordan of Ogden. Services in Boone and Glidden.     

         Mary Keenan Pohlner, 65, Boone. A cancer victim. Born in Boone the daughter of Joseph and Nellie (Clark) Keenan. Grew up on the family farm near Ogden. OHS-79. Married Robert Pohlner in Boone in 1979. The couple lived in Ogden for 20 years before moving in 2001 to a newly built home outside of town. Mary spent over 20 years working for Principal Financial Group in Ames. In 2012, she joined Mary Greeley Medical Center and continued work there until her passing. She enjoyed decorating her home, crafting, sewing and shopping for the perfect purse. She always prepared more food than anyone could eat and nothing brought her greater joy than being "Nana," watching all of her grandchildren's activities. Her husband, Robert, of Boone survives. A daughter and two brothers also survive. Services in Boone. 

       Marvin Steele, 87, Payson, AZ. Born in Boone.

       James Addems Norman, 80, Windsor Heights D.M. Family requested donations to Camp Hantesa, Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Teresa "Teri"  Lorraine Atkinson Alitz, 76, Chariton. Born an Army Brat in Oklahoma. Her parents were Glenn and Sharon Atkinson. BHS-67. Joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Married Tim Alitz. The couple moved to various states and built a cabin at Lake Rathbun in Iowa in 1989. She had a passion for decorating and usually worked Service jobs. The couple lost a son, Ted, in 2007 and Teri has had to deal with roller coaster cancer for the last five years. Survivors include her husband, Tim, and a daughter, Christina Jensen. Services in Chariton and Melrose.

       Sean Michael Thompson, 58, Johnson. Formerly of Ogden. A lung cancer victim. Born in Iowa City. Survivors include his wife, Heidi, of Johnston, two sons, his parents, Elvin and Patti Thompson of Jefferson, six siblings and his mother-in-law. Services in Jefferson. 

       Arland C. "Van" "Screwdriver" Van Schuyver, 85, LaBelle, FL. Formerly of Boone and Ogden. Born in Oklahoma. Army vet. Married Beverly Madden in 1963. The couple enjoyed camping at Don Williams, fishing and boating. Arland served as a police officer and for some time was the Police Chief at Dallas Center. He worked at AgServe in Ogden until retirement. Van loved woodworking, tinkering, watching old Westerns and the Chicago Cubs. Beverly died in 2025. Survivors include three children, Marty Van Schuyver, Lonnie (Doll) Van Schuvyer and Lenneica (John) Stewart. Services in Boone and Mackey.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Neill Robert Stark, 50, Pilot Mound. Born in New Jersey. He passed away unexpectedly. His parents are Joyce (Hochberg) Farley, who survives, and his father, Robert Stark, who is deseased. Neill grew up in North Carolina but was a high school graduate of Sullivan County HS in 1993 in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1996 and had a distinquished 17 year career at a Naval sub base in Georgia. Following medical retirement in 2013, Neill continued his committment to civilian service. He met Shannon Zinnel in 2021 and they were married in Washington D.C. in 2024. Neill loved playing cards and board games and was a season ticket holder of the NFL Philadelphia Eagles. Survivors include his wife, Shannon, of Pilot Mound, his mother, a stepdaughter and two sisters. Services in Boone and Pennsylvania with his final resting place eventually being a Burial at Sea.       

        Mary Pohlner, 65, Boone. Services in Boone.      

        Thomas James York, 79, Ogden. Died in Ogden. Born in Boone. Army and Army Reserve vet. Had a long career as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad until retirement. Married Vicki Morgan in 1971. An excellent cook, Thomas loving fishing, road trips, playing cards and music. He also loved cheering on his sons at the Boone Speedway. Survivors include his wife, Vicki, his children, Angie (Dan) Dill, Jason (Wendy) York and Ryan (Holly) York, his brother Donald York and sister Susan (Richard) Rounds.  Services in Boone.      

         Larry E. Sampson, 77, Roland/State Center Specialty Care. Service in Boone. Burial in Bass Point Cemetery.

        Tristan Kyle Nelson, 37, Ames. Survivors include a sister, Sunni Nelson (Travis Friedel) of Madrid. 

         Joseph "Joe" Kerin Schneider, 82, Bedford, TX. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Sturies Schneider, a son and two daughters. Services in Hurst, TX. Private family graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden.