On Friday, June 18, Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway will secure a final resting place for 11 individuals in conjunction with the Missing in America Project. A service will be held at 12:30 p.m. followed by burial with military honors at 2 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. A procession to the cemetery will go down Westown Parkway until Jordan Creek Parkway and then onto I-80 westbound. The public is strongly encouraged to attend.
Hamilton’s Funeral Home shared the following stories about the individuals being honored:
Nan Anderson was born in New York on February 2, 1949 to Lloyd and Inath Hubbard. As a child she grew up in the big city of New York, until the charm of the Midwest called her parents’ names and they settled in Grinnell, Iowa. Nan then met her husband, Mark Anderson. Mark served in the United States Army for four years during Vietnam. On August 30, 2012, Nan lost her beloved Mark at the age of 56. His passing left Nan a young widow. She had a simple life, she worked as a cook her entire life, most recently at Panera Bread. As Nan’s health declined there was not family to make decisions on her behalf, so she was given a guardian to watch over her affairs. The world lost a gem when Nan died at the age of 71 on July 18, 2020. Her husband Mark is already respectfully interred at Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery, and so we shall reunite them once again
Donald Balliet was born on September 16, 1928 to Donald and Lydia Balliet in Dallas Center, Iowa. Donald enlisted in the United States Army on May 16, 1953. He served in the Korean War with the 196th Infantry as a Corporal. He was released from active duty and transferred to ERC for five more years which concluded his military career. Don was married, and his wife passed away before him. He was placed into a nursing home, and at that point there was no family stepping forward to help with his care. Don died in 2020 from COVID-19, at the age of 92. A guardian was assigned to entrust that Donald was being taken care of, and now we are here to ensure that his remains will be honorably and respectfully laid to rest. We are here to be his family when no one else can
Robert Glen Baumgardner was born in New Hampton, Iowa on March 17, 1923 to Glen and Clara (Boots) Baumgardner. Robert faithfully served his country overseas during the Korean War with the United States Army. He died on March 10, 2000, at the age of 76, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Robert’s urn was stolen from his sister’s house in 2020 when it was burglarized after her death. It was later found in the middle of an intersection by law enforcement and returned to the funeral home. The funeral home was able to identify it as Robert’s urn. He will be placed with honors in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery safely, forever.
Billy Bruce Jr. was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on November 3, 1951 to Billy and May Bruce Sr. He Honorably served in the United States Navy after graduation from high school. Billy died on November 16, 2019 at the age of 68 in Des Moines, Iowa. Billy had no children and had no other surviving family at the time of his death. Billy will be put to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Gary Frakes was born on September 14, 1963 in Des Moines, Iowa. Gary grew up in the Des Moines area, and after High School enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1981-1984. When Gary returned home, he was a hard worker, but on November 29, 2017 he passed away at the age of 54. At the request of Gary’s family, we will assist with honorably interring his urn at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
John G. Goodwin was born on May 9, 1924, in Kansas City, Missouri. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 -1960. He worked as a laborer most of his life, in the manufacturing sector of business. He died the day after Christmas, December 26, 2017 at the Iowa Veterans Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. At the time of John’s death, there was no family, and now he will be laid to rest, and not forgotten. Semper Fi.
Michelle Jackson was born on June 16, 1958 in Mesa, Arizona to Charlie and Margaret Jackson. Details on Michelle’s life are vague, but we do know that she honorably served her country in the United States Navy from 1985-1987. Michelle passed away on July 14, 2020 at the age of 62. No services were planned for Michelle. At the time of her death, she was designated to be buried alongside her other military comrades that had been left behind.
Vernon Charles and Marie Margaret (Regan) Kitzrow. Marie was born on June 18, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she grew up there until her family moved to the Des Moines area. She was a proud Irish woman! Vernon was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on March 9, 1922. In 1942, Marie was married to Vernon Kitzrow in Wisconsin. They were married for 64 years. Vernon served in the United States Army during WWII. He was an avid gun collector, a member of the NRA, VFW and the American Legion. Vernon passed away on February 18, 2007 leaving behind his loving wife Marie. Marie passed away on September 21, 2009. Their daughter recently passed away, and she had been lovingly sheltering their urns at her home. She had left a note on their urns to please take to the funeral home to make sure they were placed at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Those final wishes will be fulfilled, and Vernon and Marie will be united once again.
James Dean Ryan was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 22, 1954. He served in the United States Army and was Honorably discharged in 1975. While we do not know a lot about James’s life, we do know that he walked down some hard paths. That life path ended on November 12, 2020 when James’s died at the age of 66. Circumstances led to James’s being alone at the time of his passing. So, it is important for his brothers and sisters in arms to join and give him a respectful military burial that he deserves.
Dr. Calvin Dean Sours was born on May 7, 1919 in Floyd County, Iowa to Clifton Eugene and Vera Mabel (Bower) Sours. Calvin was lovingly united in marriage to Wanda C. Cooper, who died at the age of 101, on May 16, 2014. He worked his entire life as a Veterinarian, caring for animals with a kind and tender heart. Calvin proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1943 -1946. During WWII he served as a Captain. He died on May 20, 2012 at the age of 93 in Mason City, Iowa. Calvin’s urn was found in a backroom of administrators’ office who had failed to bury him at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Calvin had been neglected, however now he is no longer forgotten. He is home.
