Obit: Boon, Clayton “Duke” #2 (1919 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Boon, Brown, Manthe, Oldham, Zais

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/12/2012

Boon, Clayton “Duke” (10 August 1919 - 9 December 2012) With Flag

Clayton “Duke” Boon, 93, of Neillsville died Dec. 9, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Clayton “Duke” Boon was born at home Aug. 10, 1919, in the Township of Weston, the son of Leonard and Ethel (Brown) Boon. He graduated from the Forman School in 1936 and went to work farming, logging and eventually running a milk route with his brother, Alfred. Duke was drafted into the United States Army, Jan. 25, 1943. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in the Infantry Division as a truck driver and was involved in battles in India, Burma, China Offensive and Air Offensive Japan. He was honorably discharged Dec. 31, 1945. When he returned to the Christie area, he ran backhoe with his brother, Alfred, and together they started Boon Brothers Construction. Duke loved running backhoe and dug many water lines for homes in the Christie area and the city of Neillsville. Duke loved to tinker and could fix just about anything, including his backhoe.

He had a special friend, Sylvia Manthe, and after she suffered a stroke, Duke took care of her for many years. Duke was a member of the United Methodist Church in Christie.

He is survived by his special friend, Sylvia Manthe, of Owen; his brother, Alfred, of Christie; and many nieces and nephews.

Duke was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Floyd; sisters, Dorothy Oldham and Florence Zais; and a nephew, James Oldham.

A funeral service for Duke will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Military rites will be accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers will be Donald Boon, Allen Boon, Melvin Boon, Fred Zais, Dennis Oldham and Leroy Oldham.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Clayton’s family with funeral arrangements.