My Uncle's Obit.

Well, these last few days have been absolutely crazy. I started my 1st official day of school on Monday (meetings and stuff) and again today. Lucky for us, we're not starting our kiddos until next Tuesday. The rest of the kiddos start Thurs. I've been working for what seems like weeks now and still don't have it all done. Granted, it's only been about 10 days since I left school. It'll all come together just not as organized as I would hope.

Tomorrow is my uncle's funeral. Here is his obit from the Neosho Daily News. There was also one in the Joplin Globe on Sunday.


Newtonia, Mo. - Gail L. Elery, a retired machine shop owner, passed away, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

He was born Jan. 5, 1925 at Anita, Iowa to William (Will) Elery and Winifred (Winnie) Steinmetz Elery. Gail graduated from Neosho High School, May 20, 1943, as salutatorian of his class. He was inducted into the U.S. Army shortly after graduation and trained at Ft. McClelland, AL. Gail was a member of I Company, 116th Inf. Reg. 29th Division. He served in Scotland, England, France, Belgium and Germany, receiving his first combat service on Omaha Beachhead on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He came ashore on Omaha Beach at 7:05 a.m., part of the initial landing force. Two days after landing, he was wounded in action in France in 1944.

Gail was then hospitalized in England for several months before being sent back to mainland, Europe. He was discharged in January, 1946 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

Gail received the Purple Heart, ETO ribbon with three battle stars, bronze arrowhead, Presidential citation, a good conduct ribbon and unit citation for outstanding merit. Upon his honorable discharge from the service in 1946, Gail returned to live with his parents in the Newtonia community. He was a well known and highly respected machinist, working 11 years for Roderick Arms and Tool Company in Monett and later established his own machine shop in Newtonia where he did precision, custom and contract work. Gail was a longtime member of the former Newtonia United Methodist Church and currently a member of the Wanda United Methodist Church. He was treasurer and city clerk for the city of Newtonia for 16 years and was currently serving on the water board. He was an active member of the Newtonia Civil War Battlefield Association. Gail was instrumental in restoring old headstones in the old Newtonia Civil War Cemetery and did much volunteer work at that cemetery, fabricating various metal supports to protect the very old headstones and casting concrete headstones in the shape of a Cross for unknown graves. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Grace Jackson and Louise Mefford. He is survived by two nephews, Howard Jackson and wife, June, Manchester, Ga. and Paul A. Jackson and wife, Janis, Webb City, Mo; three great nieces and 1 great nephew, Catherine Maddox, Warm Springs, Ga.; Angela Burke, Warm Springs, Ga.; Darlene Kate Jackson, Webb City, Mo. and Kevin Jackson, Warm Springs, Ga.; and several great nieces and nephews.

Services will be Wed., Aug. 13, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the former Newtonia United Methodist Church, Pastor Steve Thomas will officiate. Burial will be in the Neosho IOOF Cemetery, with full military honors to be conducted at the graveside service. Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home, Granby on Monday from noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The family will receive friends on Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to service time at the Newtonia United Methodist Church. Contributions in memory of Gail may be made to the Wanda United Methodist Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 26, Granby, MO 64844. Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com