Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A U.S. Army soldier presents a flag to widow Veva Jean Hames June 26 at the end of the service after a flag folding at right.
A funeral for Kenneth Robert Hames, who died at age 91 in April, was held Friday, June 26, at the Rosalia Veterans Park, which he helped bring into existence.
At Hames' request, the service took place at the park and afterward his ashes were taken to the IOOF cemetery at the edge of town in a procession led by the Rosalia Fire Department's 1937 Ford pumper truck.
Hames, who grew up in Lamont before moving to Rosalia, was a 40-year member of the Rosalia volunteer Fire Department. He served in the Army as a sniper in the Korean War, and later was a member of the Rockford VFW.
In the late 2000s, Hames was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Park, on a former vacant lot behind the old Texaco station. He was also part of the park's maintenance.
Speakers last Friday at the summer morning service included Hames' son Lee, of Rosalia, and grandsons Matthew Mount of Denver and Nick Hames of Rockford.
At the conclusion, two Army soldiers presented an American flag to Hames' widow, Veva Jean Hames.
The service was delayed until June because of the coronavirus.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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