World War II Veteran 1917 – 1996
DATES: Russell Edward Bunyard was born 18 July 1917 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He is the son of Edward Durwood Bunyard and Dora Hannah Louise Johanna Brockmann. Russell “Rusty” died 10 January 1996 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa and is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa.
MARRIAGE: Russell married Shirley Ruth Miller on 18 April 1946 in Jefferson, Greene County, Iowa. He met Shirley Ruth Miller of Adel sometime before April of 1942. Shirley was born 24 February 1926 in Adel to Floyd L. Miller and Wanda Louise James. According to the Federal Census, Floyd, Wanda and daughters Shirley and Ethel V. were living in Chicago in 1930. Shirley Bunyard died 1 April 1975 in Davenport Iowa and is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa.
HISTORY: Russell Edward Bunyard was born at a “Residence” in Des Moines. At the time of his birth, his parents, Edward and Dora, were listed in the Des Moines Directory as residing at 602 SE 5th Street. This is the same residence where his mother Dora was living in July of 1913 and which she listed on the birth certificate of her first son William Carl. The owner and landlady of the residence, Clara Johnson, rented out a room to boarders. I believe Clara Johnson also acted as a midwife and assisted in the birth of both Russell and William.
Russell lived with his parents in the Panora area until at least 1939. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and served overseas until the end of WWII. Upon his discharge, Russell returned to Iowa and married Shirley Miller. Rusty and Shirley Bunyard remained in Iowa all their lives. Russell worked in area construction until his retirement.
CHILDREN of Russell Edward Bunyard and Shirley Miller:
- Wanda Louise Bunyard born 1950.
- Barbara Bunyard born 1952.
- Margaret Ann Bunyard born 1954.
- Edward Leon Bunyard born 1956.
- Paul David Bunyard born 1959.
3 Comments
Sandra Shadden · May 29, 2015 at 1:19 pm
My mother was Ethel V Miller, Shirley”s sister. She passed away in 2007. I have a little more information on Floyd Miller’s, my grandfather’s, family and of course lots more on our side.
Pat · January 25, 2014 at 11:10 am
Give me a little information on yourself and I can check. Like birthday and names of father and grandfather. I enjoy placing other Bunyards within the family.
russell bunyard · January 23, 2014 at 8:54 am
just checking to see if we are distantly related