Fremont - Edwin J. Booth, 85, passed away in Sunshine Terrace Nursing Home in Logan, Utah, on July 28, 2004, from natural causes.

Born December 20, 1918, near Harlan, Iowa, to Loren Edwin and Gladys Gregory Booth. He graduated from Harlan High School. He was married first to Shirley Leutzinger and later to Rose Mary Cornelius.

He served in the C.C.C.’s in the 1930's. He joined the Iowa National Guard 67th Infantry Brigade, 168th Infantry, 34th Division in January, 1941. His unit was mobilized to active duty February 10, 1941. During WW II, he served in European, African, and Middle Eastern combat operations. He was captured by General Rommel’s army in Tunisia. He had received shrapnel wounds in his right foot. He was held as a P.O.W. in various camps near Berlin for 27 months. In 1945, he was repatriated by the Russian Army.

He received many medals including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, a Good Conduct medal, Ex-P.O.W. medal, Defense Medal, the WWII American Campaign and European Theater of Operations medals.

He served in the Nebraska National Guard after the War and retired from the National Guard February, 1966, with 27 years active duty and Guard service combined. After the war, he co-owned a restaurant in South Omaha with his mother. He worked for the Hinky Dinky grocery store in Omaha, the Mead Ordinance plant, Carlstrom Brothers Construction, and the U.S. Postal Service in Fremont, retiring in 1981.

He was a life member of the V.F.W., the Ex-P.O.W., D.A.V. and Fremont Eagles. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary and three daughters; Sharon and husband Terry Stapelton, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Vee and husband Brent Hale, of Logan, Utah; and Janene Booth, of Ogden, Utah; also by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also one brother and three sisters are of Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, two infant brothers, and one infant sister.

A viewing will be at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan, Utah, on Monday, August 2, at 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Graveside services will be conducted at Logan Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

Cards may be sent to the family at 862 West 330 South, Logan, Utah, 84321. Memorials in Nebraska may be made to the Inglewood Volunteer Fire Department, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Fremont, Nebraska.