Obituary: Cornie C. Verwers
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Cornie C. Verwers, 89, of Eldorado, died peacefully at his home on Feb. 1, 2012.
A resident of Eldorado since 1949, Cornie was born in 1922, in Van Wert, Iowa, to Cornelius(Neil) and Lucy Verwers. He was the younger brother to two sisters, Irma and Frances. He married Shirley, his wife of 63 years.
Cornie was a member of Gospel Assembly Church of Eldorado, where he was a past member of the board, a past member of the choir and a past member of the usher staff. In earlier years, he was a member of the men's quartet with Jack Archer, Dr. Aaron Bullock, and Gordon Littrell. He retired from United Cities Gas Co. in 1985.
Cornie served in the 4th Marines in the Pacific during World War II. He was a member of a recon company that trained at Camp Pendleton in California and that saw action at Kwajalein Atoll and Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, at Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas Islands, and at Iwo Jima. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on Iwo Jima. He was also a recipient of a commendation for excellent service and meritorious action as a member of an outpost in defense of a field hospital on Saipan.
Cornie is survived by his wife; daughter, Sharon Ellis of Harrisburg; and two sons, Kevin (Lecia) Verwers of Metropolis and Brent (Nancy) Verwers of Columbus, Ind. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Ashley, Kristin, Richard, Alexandra, Jennifer, Audrey, Emily and Justin; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters; and son, Ron.
Arrangements are being handled by Watson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Watson Funeral Home with the Rev. L.D. Jolly officiating. Visitation will be before the service starting at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Lindale Memorial Gardens with military honors.