Alma Ballantyne Sonne

Alma Ballantyne Sonne, born April 2, 1921, passed away Dec. 15, 2008, during a snowstorm -- in Las Vegas, yet. Al was a teacher by trade and taught at Malad High School in Idaho, White Pine High School in Ely, Nevada and Centennial Middle School in Norwalk, California. Al grew up in Logan, Utah, graduated from Utah State University and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Reserves in March 1942. He was ordered to Paris Island, South Carolina for boot camp. He then went to Quantico, Virginia, to OCS, after which he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. After his training at Camp LeJune, North Carolina, he fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. After thirty-six days of combat, he was one of the few officers to survive unscathed. He was a musician; he played the saxophone, piano and was church organist for many years. He served in the Whittier, California Sixth Ward Bishopric and on the Stake High Council. He married Patricia Hatch in 1946. They had two children, Robert Hatch Sonne and Jacqueline Sonne Liddle Shelline. He is survived by his wife; two children; four grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters. Alma was named after his father, Alma Sonne, who was a General Aughority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His mother, Geneva, was the daughter or Richard Ballantyne. Alma B. had three brothers and one sister. His brothers, Richard B. Sonne, Conway B. Sonne and Norman Lee B. Sonne, preceded him in death. Alma's only sister, Faye Sonne Stucki, still survives. Other surviving menbers of the Sonne family are cousins, Elder L. Tom Perry, and Ted S. Perry, including numerous nieces and nephews. No service is scheduled. A memorial service will precede the burial in the Franklin, Idaho Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .