BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       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.