Raymond (Cub) Samuel Boner

Raymond (Cub) Samuel Boner was born on Feb. 9, 1921, the son of Samuel Raymond and Grace Simmons Boner in Johnson County.  

His father died in 1929 and he was raised by a single mother with four other children. His mother, Grace Boner Harris, died on Jan. 26, 1998.  

He had one younger brother, Alonzo Emmet Boner, who died on July 31, 1944, while serving in active duty during the second World War; and three sisters, Margaret Webb, Paralee Harrell and Reba Jasinski; who preceded him in death.  

He has one sister who survives, Barbara Harris Ross.

He married Dorothy Allene Sloan in 1947 after returning from World War II. She died on Dec. 26, 1979.  

They had one daughter, Elaine (Jerry) Jackson of Lake of Egypt, and one son, Anthony Ray Boner of Anna. They survive.  

He had three grandchildren Kelly Jackson of Louisville, Ky., Kindra (John) Grimes of Greenwood, Ind., and Keith Jackson of Lake Villa. He had eight great-grandchildren, Kira Jackson of Louisville, Ky., Samuel and Nicholas Grimes of Greenwood, Ind., and Kayla, Josiah, Elias, Jaden and Kirk Jackson of Lake Villa.

He leaves many nieces and nephews who have called him “Uncle Raymond” over the years and visited him when they came back to Southern Illinois from different parts of the country.

He joined the Army (serving in Company L, 137th Infantry, 35th Division) in 1942 and served as a trainer until the war became intense and then he was transferred to the European Theatre.  Preceding the war, he worked at Franzier’s Company Farm near Tunnel Hill and could have been deferred because they supplied food to the war effort. He told his boss that “he had to go.” He was a life member of Carroll P. Foster VFW Post No. 3455 in Anna.

Because he was an excellent marksman, he was designated as a sniper to guard a first lieutenant in France. While clearing a building, second in line, he was shot in the left forearm. Because of the location and only “sulfa” drugs available, the wound became infected. He was shipped back to a hospital in Texas, where he lost the left forearm and underwent several skin grafts over a period of several months during convalescence.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds. During his military career, he qualified for three rifle awards and an automatic rifle. He also earned an award for marksmanship at 500 yards.

He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s and 1940s, assisting with the building of Giant City Park in Makanda and also other parks throughout the State of Illinois.

He worked construction for the Laborer’s Union and farmed during his life on 167 acres north of Tunnel Hill. He sold the farm in 1995 and the new owner converted it into what is now Bella Terra Winery.  He moved to Marion in 1995 and lived there until 2013.

He loved to dance and had different dance partners during his later years. They won several senior citizens dance contests throughout Southern Illinois.  

A celebration of the life of Raymond Boner was held Monday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Jerry Jackson, Mr. Boner’s son-in-law conducted the service.

Burial was in Webb Cemetery near Tunnel Hill. Military graveside honors were accorded.

Memorials can be made to the Johnson County Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222, P.O. Box 561, Vienna, Ill. 62995, or the Illinois State Veterans Home, 792 N. Main St., Anna, Ill. 62906.

To share a memory or to leave a message of condolence for his family, visit www.baileyfh.com.

Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.