ADAMS, ELTON M.

NEMO – Elton M. Adams, age 83, of Nemo passed away on Friday, September 22, 2006 at Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Elton was born on February 27, 1923 on a farm near Kouts, Indiana to Harvey and Louise (Heinhold) Adams. Elton was the youngest of nine children. He lived in Indiana until graduating from Hammon High School in June of 1941. On December 9, 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps 6 days later on December 15, 1941. Prior to Elton’s primary duty assignment, he attended several Marine Corps schools. They included, Messenger Signal School, Chemical Warfare School, Japanese Weapons School, Combat Rifleman, and Non-Commission Officer’s School. After his training, Elton received an assignment to join a newly formed elite unit called the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (Carlson’s Raiders) under the command of Colonel Evans Carlson and Major James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Elton was a decorated veteran of the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Solomon Islands. He also proudly served during the assault on Iwo Jima, as part of the 26th Marines of the 5th Marine Division. Elton was awarded the Purple Heart twice during his duty in the Pacific Theater along with the Naval Commendation Medal (3 times), Presidential Unit Citation (2 times), Pacific Area Campaign Medal with 4 battle stars, Occupation of Japan Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. After being honorably discharged in 1945, Elton worked for a short time in the steel foundries in Indiana. After that, he operated a custom harvesting business in the Midwest with his brother and worked harvesting timber in the Black Hills. On May 9th, 1947 Elton and Norma Troxell were united in marriage in Lead, South Dakota. The couple continued in the wheat harvesting business until 1952, when Elton and Norma moved to Nemo, South Dakota and began operation of the 4T Guest Ranch Store and Brandin’ Iron Cafe in Nemo as part of a family run business through 1968. During these years Elton also worked as the Nemo Postmaster until 1974. He then worked as the Assistant Postmaster in Lead, Mailroom Tour Foreman and Mail and Window Service Supervisor at the Rapid City Post Office and Supervisor of Postal Operations in Lead until he retired in 1983. He was involved in many civic organizations including Nemo Volunteer Fire Department, Boy Scouts Committee, Firearm Safety Instructor, Nemo Community Association, Box Elder Job Corps Community Relations Council and Nemo Cemetery Association. Elton was also a Scottish Rite Mason for 50 years, a member of The Shrine NAJA Temple of Deadwood, past President of the NAJA Temple Flag Unit, lifetime member of both the VFW and DAV, the Marine Raider Association, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Lawrence County Historical Society. Elton was an avid outdoorsman, being especially proud of his vegetable and flower gardens. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Elton lived in Nemo for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife Norma of Nemo, his sons Randall (Cathie) of Rapid City and Russell of Belle Fourche; his grandchildren, Mandy, Matt, Chris, Andrew, and Ashley; great-grandchildren, Vincent and Nicholas; and many nieces and nephews. His parents, six brothers and three sisters preceded Elton in death. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. conducted by Deadwood Lodge No. 7 at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. at Nemo Community Church with Pastor Nick Rombough officiating. Interment will follow at the Nemo Community Cemetery with military honors by the Sturgis Honor Guard. Memorials have been established for the Shrine Temple Travel Fund for Children and the Nemo Cemetery Association.