JUNIOR “ROCKY” BOLINGER
JUNIOR ‘ROCKY’ BOLINGER
Junior Lee ‘Rocky’ Bolinger, 78, of Creston, Iowa was the second oldest child of Rex Leo Bolinger and Austie (Spencer) Bolinger. He was born south of Mount Ayr, Iowa in rural Ringgold county on March 7, 1935. He said he was just born on a fence post. He worked as a farm hand for Leroy Francis, who had the best strawberries.
He was drafted into the United States Army and served in Korea 1957 to 1959. When he was discharged, his folks had moved out west of Diagonal, Iowa and lived on the ranch. Rocky helped his dad milk about 100 head of cows. He later worked for Tom Kenny and Raymond Dill on the farm.
Junior married Sandra Sue Shimer June 5, 1961. They lived in rural Diagonal on the Roy Lumbard farm. They moved to Lenox in the 1960s and Junior worked for Totes. In 1968 Junior started working at the Farm and Home in Creston so they moved to Creston in 1970 and he worked there until 1989.
Junior and Sandy decided to adopt and were lucky to get two lovely daughters from Korea.
Rocky liked to garden and always kept his yard well cared for. He collected country and western music. Rocky finally decided to do a little singing with some of the groups in the area. He wished he had started singing several years before he did. Some of the songs he liked to sing himself were ‘Pass Me Bye,’ ‘Wind Me Up,’ ‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning’ and ‘The Fireman.’
Junior and Sandy enjoyed attending the Lenox Rodeo and the Diagonal Labor Day celebrations. They attended all the girls’ school activities and continued with their grandchildren’s activities. Family has always been very special to Rocky.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Sandy Bolinger; their daughters, Julie Ann (Matt) Weis, both of Creston, Iowa and Mandy Sue Bolinger (Lon) Nelson of Port Barrington, Illinois; five grandchildren, Samantha McDonald, George and Owen Weis of Creston and Kylee and Jameson Nelson of Port Barrington, Illinois; five sisters, Viola Wahl of Clearfield, Iowa, Margie Kenner of Galena, Missouri, Doris (Greg Briner) Bolinger of Tingley, Iowa, Dora (Ronnie) Ray of Creston, Iowa and Georgia (Gene) Springer of Fairbury, Nebraska; five brothers, Lowell Dean (Doreen) Bolinger of What Cheer, Iowa, Robert (Doc) (Linda) Bolinger of Kent, Iowa, Floyd (Kay) Bolinger of Diagonal, Iowa, Ronnie (Del) Bolinger of Lenox, Iowa and Melvin (Sharon) Bolinger of Knoxville, Iowa; uncle, Loren (Dorothy) Bolinger of Blockton, Iowa, and aunt, Sherry Bolinger of Clearfield, Iowa; four brothers-in-law, Virgin Shimer of Creston, Iowa, Albert (Joy Reynolds) Shimer of Perry, Iowa, Dell (Betty) Shimer and Jackie (Marie) Shimer of Creston, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Bolinger of Sharpsburg, Iowa, Kay Camden of Lenox, Iowa and Loula Shimer of Blockton, Iowa, and nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Austie Bolinger; one brother, Clark Bolinger; five brothers-in-law, Jack Camden, Robert Keener, Thurman Keener, Johnnie Shimer and Dwayne Wahl; one sister-in-law, Cora Adamson, and aunts and uncles.
Rocky will be missed by his loving family and friends.
He will be forever in their hearts.
May God grant comfort and peace to those who mourn his passing.
Celebration of life services for Junior ‘Rocky’ Bolinger, age 78, of Creston, who died Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at his home in Creston were held Saturday, March 30, 2013, at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Interment was held at the Blue Grove Cemetery in rural Taylor county. Memorials can be given in Rocky’s name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.
