CENTERVILLE —
Enos Jerry Fountain, 89 of Seymour, died Sunday evening, Jan. 29, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines.
He was born Feb. 28, 1922 in Wellman, the son of Lawrence and Mary Ellen (Canot) Fountain.
After Enos finished school, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp until he entered the United States Army in 1940 at the age of 18. Enos served his country four years, seven months, and 16 days. He was honorably discharged in June of 1945.
Enos served in France, England, Scotland, Ireland and Germany. He was marching to the “Battle of the Bulge” when he was wounded the second time. His unit received the “presidential citation award.” Enos served with the Service Battery 342nd First Airborne Division. He was stationed in Fort Des Moines, Camp Funston, Kan. and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Enos was later stationed at Camp Carson, Colo., Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Binning, Ga., Fort Meade, My., Camp Pickett, Vir. and Camp Kilmore, N.J. He helped start the 89th division at Camp Carson.
Enos was eventually deployed to Bristol, England, where his unit engaged in an invasion into France.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Oak Leaf Cluster. Enos was also awarded the Expert Pistol for his sharp shooting skills.
Enos married Effie Mikesill on March 8, 1943. They lived in Luzerne, Iowa and while residing in the community, Enos worked at Speeder as a machinist until his retirement in 1980. Effie preceded him in death in September of 1995. Enos then moved to Seymour in April of 1990. Effie was in the Seymour Care Center until her death. He married Fonda Johnson on April 13, 1996 in Seymour.
Enos was a mason for 32 years and had his 32nd degree. He served one year as master of Hope Lodge 175. Enos was also a shriner of El Kahir for 31 years.
He was extremely proud of the Statue of Liberty he had in his front yard. Enos drove to Rudson, N.M. to buy it. Furthermore, people in the community would often drive by his residence to take a picture with the statue. In his free time, Enos enjoyed hunting, fishing, visiting his friends and doing wood work in his woodshop.
Enos is survived by his wife, Fonda Fountain; a daughter Becky Conn of Fairfield; two sons, Donald (Tammy) Johnson of Albia and Bill (Wanda) Downs of Fairbanks, Alaska; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two adopted grandsons, Evan Davis and Nick Perkins of Seymour; many nieces and nephews including Harold Woods; and a special friend Nathan Beck of Belle Plaine.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; five sisters; son Rick Downs; a daughter Renee Downs; a special son-in-law Raymond Del Conn; and an adopted grandson, Kenny Mathis.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at the Lange Funeral Home, Centerville, with Pastor Becky Conn officiating. Friends may call today with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Lange Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Hanes Cemetery, Centerville. A memorial has been established to Wanda Fountain’s Care and may be left at the Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left at www.langefh.com.
Legacy obituaries
February 1, 2012
