John L. May 1927 - 2009

MAY, CROM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/21/2019 at 20:04:18

Sioux City Journal
1 February 2009

CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- John L. May, 82, of Correctionville passed away on Thursday, Jan 29, 2009, at his home in Correctionville.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church of Correctionville, with the Rev. Sheryl K. Ashley officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Township Cemetery at Moville, Iowa, with full military rites by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville.

John L. May was born on Jan. 23, 1927, to William and Didema May in Raccoon, Ky. He was the sixth of eleven children. He was raised on a farm and worked as a coal miner until he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950.

On Aug. 17, 1954, he married the love of his life, Verna Crom. In the U.S. Air Force, he worked in intelligence and security and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was security for Air Force One for five and one-half years for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Truman. He traveled to 69 countries during his 21-year career and retired as a Tech Sergeant in 1971.

After leaving the service, he was a truck driver for many years. He was an avid trapper and fisherman and enjoyed spending summers fishing in Minnesota. He also served as a fireman for the city of Correctionville for many years. In 1991 he was chosen the Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Correctionville Chamber of Commerce. He was a lifetime member of the Correctionville VFW.

He is survived by his loving wife, Verna; two sisters, Fonnie of Pikeville, Ky., and Phyllis of Grafton, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Pete and Marie Stines and Pete and Melissa Stines; and numerous other friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents; and eight brothers and sisters.