Raymond Samuel Boner

Raymond (Cub) Samuel Boner was born February 9, 1921 to 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 January 26, 1998. He had one younger brother, Alonzo Emmet Boner, who died 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 December 26, 1979. They had one daughter, Elaine (Jerry) Jackson of the Lake of Egypt and one son, Anthony Ray Boner of Anna, IL. They survive. Raymond had three grandchildren: Kelly Jackson of Louisville, Kentucky, Kindra (John) Grimes of Greenwood, Indiana, and Keith Jackson of Lake Villa, Illinois. He had eight great grandchildren – Kira Jackson of Louisville, Kentucky, Samuel and Nicholas Grimes of Greenwood, Indiana, and Kayla, Josiah, Elias, Jaden, and Kirk Jackson of Lake Villa, Illinois. He leaves many nieces and nephews that have called him “Uncle Raymond” over the years and visited him when they came back to Southern Illinois from different parts of the country. Cub 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 the Carroll P. Foster VFW Post in Anna, Illinois. 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. Cub worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930’s-40’s, assisting with the building of Giant City Park in Makanda and also other parks throughout the State of Illinois. Cub 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. Cub moved to Marion in 1995 and lived there until 2013. Cub 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 will be held Monday morning, September 26, 2016, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Jerry Jackson, Cub’s son-in-law will conduct the service. Burial will be in Webb Cemetery near Tunnel Hill. Military graveside honors will be accorded. Visitation will be held from 10 AM - 11 AM Monday at Bailey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Johnson County Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222, P.O. Box 561, Vienna, IL 62995 or the Illinois State Veterans Home, 792 N. Main St., Anna, IL 62906. The Veterans Home did an excellent job of taking care of Raymond. The staff at the Home truly care for the veterans that have served our country.

Raymond Samuel Boner

February 9, 1921 - September 23, 2016