Sammie Trainum

Sammie E. Trainum, 80, of Ankeny, Iowa, died Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Trinity Care Center, Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa, and was also under the care of Hospice of Central Iowa.

Sammie was born March 4, 1928, in Scott City (formerly Illmo) to Samuel C. and Pearl Trainum.

He graduated from Central High School in Cape Girardeau in 1945. He had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team in May 1945 but opted for college. He enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University in prejournalism.

Sammie enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps March 15, 1946. He completed basic at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and was sent to Radar/Radio Technician School. He was honorably discharged Dec. 6, 1947.

He returned to Southeast, majored in English and also spent six weeks at the University of Laval in Quebec.

Sammie re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves May 11, 1949, went into active service Sept. 18, 1950, as a sergeant (radio repairman) and served in the Korean conflict from December 1950 to March 1951. He left active service Oct. 3, 1951, returned to Southeast and graduated in 1952. He was honorably discharged June 30, 1953.

Sammie married Lorraine E. Haenni on Sept. 10, 1950.

He was well known for his people skills, a captivating wink and good sense of humor. He worked for several oil and/or gas companies in Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. He belonged to the Jaycees, Masons and Marine Corps League.

Sammie retired in 1995 and lived a few years in Bella Vista, Ark. His wife, Lorraine, passed away Feb. 21, 1997. Sammie married Shirley Hopper Carosello Nov. 29, 1997, and moved to Cape Girardeau. In June 2004 he returned to Ankeny to be close to his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Matthew G. Trainum of Dows, Iowa, Michael C. Trainum of Urbandale, Iowa; two daughters, Stacy C. Layton of Ankeny, Julie A. Trainum of Tulsa, Okla.; a sister, Jean McKay of San Diego, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Sammie was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sue Romney; his first wife Lorraine; and his second wife Shirley.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. today at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

The family suggests any memorials be made to either the Marine Corps League or Hospice of Central Iowa.