Cyrus
Millard Stoner
(1907-1960)
Cyrus Millard "Okie" Stoner was born on May
12, 1907 in Sistersville, Tyler County, WV, the son of Nathan
C. and Letitia (Harbaugh) Stoner. He was named after a grand-uncle.
At a young age, he moved with his parents to Robinson, Crawford County, IL, where his father was engaged in a national oilfield leasing business. As an adult, Cyrus stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 lbs. He was very gentle and enjoyed raising a big garden.
Cyrus married Hazel "Irene" Pierson (1917-1973), who was a full decade younger than he. They resided in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, IL.
The Stoners had one daughter, Cheryl Elaine "Sherry" Stephens.
Cyrus at work on a pipeline construction project in Kansas
Cyrus was employed by A.J. Brehm Company, an oil pipeline
construction concern. In addition to projects in the midwest, he spent a summer
in Colorado on one major effort, and a year in Texas on another. He was a
talented sign painter and caricature sketch artist, and is known to have
lettered a large construction sign for Taylor Drilling Company. The sign is
seen at left.
During World War II, Cyrus served as a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in California.
In
the photo seen at right, Irene and Sherry (far right) visit on the grass
in Oblong, IL with Cyrus' sister Dorothy
(Stoner) Sheldon and her daughters Diane and Sharon.
Always in the best of health, Cyrus developed acute leukemia after passing the age of 50. In September 1959, when he was 53, he was admitted to a local hospital where he was treated. Sadly, he did not recover, and passed away from effects of the disease on Jan. 26, 1960. He was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon.
Daughter Sherry was just 13 at the time of Cyrus' death, and his mother, in a nursing home in Oblong, IL, was never told the news.
Irene then married Robert Malcolm, and moved with Sherry to Joliet, Will County, IL. Later, they moved to Palestine, Crawford County, IL.
Irene outlived Cyrus by 13 years, and died in 1973. She is buried at Palestine.
Copyright © 2005 Mark A. Miner