SELLON, Eugene E. 1924-2012

SELLON, APEL, FRANCIS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/29/2012 at 12:48:58

Mason City,Iowa - Eugene "Gene" E. Sellon, 88, of Mason City, died Friday, July 27, 2012, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A funeral service for Gene will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 31, at the Nora Springs United Methodist Church, 202 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs, with the Rev. Jerry Avise-Rouse officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, where full military honors will be provided by the Nora Springs American Legion Post 449. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 30, at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs. The family suggests memorial contributions be designated to Hospice of North Iowa or Opportunity Village, PO Box 622, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.

Eugene E. Sellon, son of Wayne and Hazel (Francis) Sellon, was born January 3, 1924, in Randolph, Nebraska. Gene attended schools in Randolph before moving to Nora Springs with his family in 1938, graduating from Nora Springs High School in 1942. He worked for the Rock Island Arsenal and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942.

Gene was a landing craft crewman serving on the USS Thomas Jefferson during World War II. He and his shipmates participated in invasions of Algeria, Sicily and Salerno, Italy. Gene was severely wounded in action in the English Channel just prior to Normandy and had not recovered in time for his ship's participation in the Omaha Beach landing at Normandy.

Gene, however, returned to duty in time for the invasion of southern France. The ship was transferred to Pacific duty of Okinawa and later landed troops on the Japanese home islands after their surrender. Gene was a distinguished serviceman, earning two Purple Hearts and was honorably discharged from the Navy in March of 1946. Following his military service, Gene was united in marriage to Lois Apel on September 1, 1946. To this union three children were born: Tom, Steven and Terri.

Gene and Lois raised their family in Nora Springs for more than 47 years. Gene farmed on the family farm while Lois was a homemaker taking care of their children. Gene and Lois moved to Mason City in 1993, building their new home on North Carolina Avenue.

Gene's passion was farming, from raising cattle and hogs to growing crops. He also acquired a passion for horses, having a pony when he was younger and having horses for his daughter and granddaughter.

Gene was a member of the Nora Springs United Methodist Church and the Nora Springs American Legion Post 449.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 66 years, Lois Sellon, Mason City; children, Tom (Mary) Sellon, Janesville, Iowa, and Terri (Jim) Patchen, Mason City; grandchildren, Matt and Erin Patchen, Mason City; brother, Duane (Ruth) Sellon, Albany, Ore.; sister, Glenafa Vrchota, Mason City; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steven Sellon; father and mother-in-law, Elmer and Katie Apel; brother, Keith Sellon; sister-in-law, Shirley Sellon; and brother-in-law, Lester Vrchota.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye, Nora Springs, 641-749-2210, www.colonialchapels.com.

[ Globe Gazette online, July 29, 2012 ]