Murel Koon
Murel "Sailor" Koon was born March 19, 1909, at Plevna, the son of Henry B. and Emma J. (Kinder) Koon. He was raised in that community and attended school there.
At age 18 he joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1931. He served on a submarine that had been captured from the Germans during World War I and was adapted for use by the United States. It was here that he picked up a nickname and was known by all as "Sailor." He attended various trade schools and trained as a welder.
He married Clara Grace Howell on Dec. 6, 1936, at Council Grove. She died Aug. 9, 1997. The couple had two children.
They first lived in Garnett, where he served as a supply sergeant of a Civil Conservation Corps camp. In 1941, they moved to Wichita where he was employed as a welder. A year later they purchased Koon's Auto Salvage which they owned and operated for 36 years.
In 1978 they moved to their retirement home at Marion County Lake. They moved to a Marion in 1982. After his wife died in 1997, Murel moved to Lafayette, La., to be near his daughter.
He was a charter member of Marion Senior Center and served several times as president. He was active in the implementation of the commodities and Meals on Wheels programs. He also was active at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
He always was busy doing odd jobs around the house and yard and could always be counted on to help a neighbor. He enjoyed fishing.
Murel died April 29, 2002, at Lafayette General Medical Center. He was 93 years old.
In addition to his wife, those preceding him in death were his parents, six brothers, one sister, and a grandson, Robert Frost.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Earl and Dona Koon of Branson, Mo.; daughter and son-in-law, Alice Jane and Ervin Collins of Lafayette, La.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Saturday morning at Zeiner Funeral Home with the Rev. John Goering officiating.
Greg Bowers was vocalist and Rose Davidson was organist.
Casket bearers were Greg Koon, Tim Peters, Ervin Collins, and Mike Collins.
Burial was in White Chapel Cemetery, Wichita.
A memorial fund has been established with Marion Senior Center.
