Notes for: Marion Eugene ("Gene") Bodine
Gene and his family lived in Merkle, Texas near Abilene for several years prior to his death. One meeting was held with him in the early 80's between Abilene and Coleman at a family reunion there. In the research that has been done, Gene holds the dubious honor of being the "most married," of any Bodine. He has married a total of six times.
From: Angela Dyess [adyess at houston.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003
Subject: Re: MARION EUGENE BODINE/JACKIE RAY BODINE genealogical history
My father's mother was Louise Glen. She was born Louise Louella Glenn on March 8, 1929, and died on March 5, 1997. She remarried twice after Marion Eugene Bodine. After Marion Eugene, Louise Glenn next wed Leroy Newberry, produced a daughter named Patricia Ann Newberry. Louise Glenn next wed Eldon Earl Baker, and produced three other children, Eldon Earl Baker, Jr., Billie Marie Baker, and Gary Lawrence Baker.
I never knew Marion Eugene Bodine, but my grandmother (Louise Glenn) gave me an old picture of him (Marion Eugene) and pictures of my father (Jackie Ray Bodine) as a very small child. I have no information on any of Marion Eugene's other wives or children.
-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Dyess [adyess at houston.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003
Subject: MARION EUGENE BODINE/JACKIE RAY BODINE genealogical history
Dave,
First, thanks for a great deal of information on your website. I was able to find out more about my father's side of the family than anyone could ever tell me, since my grandmother and grandfather were not married long, and my own parents were divorced when I was very young.
However, I was wondering if you have way of knowing if there is any native american heritage along the way. My father was dark-skinned, and it was always attributed to native american heritage. My grandmother always told me there had been some sort of native american medicinal woman in our lineage. It may have been her own heritage, I'm not sure. My grandmother looked like an old native american woman when she died. And, for as long as I could remember always had a "tanned" complexion.
My father was Jackie Ray Bodine, son of Marion Eugene Bodine (descended from Joseph Abner Bodine, Sr.), who married Louise Louella Glenn, b. March 8, 1929 in Ryan, Oklahoma, deceased March 4, 1997 in San Angelo, Texas. Her mother's name was Jewel Blackwell (maiden name) Glenn.
My father, Jackie Ray Bodine was born September 14, 1945, in Sherman, Texas. Deceased July 24, 1987, in California.
My maiden name is Angela Marie Bodine, b. July 24, 1965, in San Angelo, Texas. Married to Paul D. Myers III, June 19, 1982, divorced April 1984, no children. Married to James Scott Dyess, June 5, 1993, and at this time, one daughter - Brenna Marie Dyess, b. October 26, 1996. I am now known as Angela Marie Dyess.
My mother is Linda Kay Ocker, b. December 27, 1949 in San Angelo, Texas. I was the only child born to Jackie and Linda.
My father, as his father Marion, married a number of times. Known to me in this order are his marriages:
married June 1964 - Linda Kay Ocker - San Angelo, Texas - one daughter, Angela Marie Bodine;
married _________ - Barbara Doyle from Lorraine, Texas (produced two sons - Jackie Ray Bodine, Jr., b. January 1968 or 1969; and Anthony Paul Bodine, b. November 1972 (later adopted by stepfather- last name changed to Flanagan) ;
Mary Nell Matheny from San Angelo, Texas (one daughter - Jacqueline Rae Bodine, b. October 15, 1976, San Angelo, Texas)
Sandy (last name unknown) - no known children
From Ronny Bodine:
1st marriage--1943--LOUISA LOVELLA GLENN.
According to the 1945 newspaper reported noted below they were married 16 Sept 1943 in Anson, Jones Co., Texas. The Anson (TX) Western Enterprise of 30 Sept 1943 reported that a marriage license had been issued to Marion Eugene Bodine and Louise Luella Glenn.
The Anson Jones County Observer of 19 Jan 1945 reported that Private Marion E. Bodine has been reported missing in action since 18 Dec while fighting in Belgium according to a teelgram from the Secretary of War recieved by his wife, Mrs. Louise L. Bodine, Anson, Route 1. Pvt. Bodine, who is the son of J. A. Bodine, Hamlin, entered service March 10, 1943 at Anson. He trained at Camp Barkeley and Camp Maxey, Paris, Texas. From there he was sent overseas. He landed in England about two and a half months ago. According to the telegram, Mrs. Bodine will be notified promptly if further details or information are received.
From Anson Western Observer of 8 June 1945: Gene Bodine, who has been a prisoner of the Germans, has been returned to Allied military control, according to a message received by his wife, Mrs. Louise Bodine, formerly of Anson. Prior to entering the army, Bodine lived near Radium.
From Texas Birth Records:
Jackie Ray Bodine was born 14 Sept 1945 in Grayson County to Marion Eugene Bodine & Louise Louella Glenn.
Marion and Louise Bodine were divorced early in 1946. Marion's subsequent marriages were;
2) to Francis Leroy Newberry (1920-1995) by June 1948 (when she reported her name as Louise Newberry to Social Security) and where daughter Patricia Ann was born 30 Aug 1950 in Tom Green County.
3) to Eldon Earl Baker (1920-1988) on 16 Dec 1952 in Ector Co., TX resulting in 3 children, Billie (1953), Eldon Jr (1956) and Gary (1962). They divorced 14 June 1972 in Ector Co.
4) again to Eldon Earl Baker on 23 Aug 1973 in Runnels Co., TX.
From Social Security Records:
Louise Lovella Bodine applied for a SSN in Oct 1943 and reported she was born 8 March 1928 in Ryan, Jefferson Co., OK to John C. & Jewel A. (Blackwell) Glenn. In June 1948 she reported her name as Louise Lovella Newberry and in March 1955 as Louise Lovella Baker. She died 7 March 1997. Her last residence was San Angelo, Tom Green Co., Texas.
Burials in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave Memorial No. 49938408)
LOUISE L. BAKER Beloved Wife Mother and Grandmother Mar. 8, 1928 Mar. 5, 1997
2nd marriage--1946--BONNIE ESTELINE MADDOX.
He divorced Bonnie in 1947 as she soon married Paul Jones McIntosh and bore her 1st child in July 1948. Bonnie (Maddox) Bodine was the daughter of C. Grady and Estelle (Harwell) Maddox.
From Social Security Records:
Bonnie Esteline Maddox was born 24 Jan 1929 in Cameron, Milam Co., Texas, dau. of Charlie G. & Estelle H. Maddox. In June 1947 she reported her name as Bonnie E. Bodine and in Jan 1952 as Bonnie E. McIntosh. She died 2 Nov 2001. Her last residence was El Sobrante, Contra Costa Co., CA.
3rd marriage--1951--MYRTLE JO EVERTS.
From Lubbock County, Texas Marriage Records:
Marion Eugene Bodine AND Myrtle Jo Everts were married 3 April 1951.
From Abilene (TX) Reporter News of 6 Nov 1951: Marion Bodine vs. Myrtle Jo Bodine, suit for divorce. Filed in 42nd District Court.
Marion Jo Everts married 2ndly Willie Roscoe Jennings on 9 April 1954 in Williamson County, TX.
From Social Security Records:
Jo Everts applied for a SSN in Oct 1950 and reported she was born 2 Oct 1934 in Florence, Texas daughter of Henry B. & Rachel A. (Evans) Everts. She reported her name as Myrtle Jo Bodine and Myrtle Jo Jennings. She died 4 Jan 1999. Her last residence was Austin, Travis Co., TX.
From Texas Death Records:
Myrtle Jo Jennings died 4 Jan 1999 in Travis County.
Burials in Walnut Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Austin, Travis County, Texas.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave Memorial No. 59332386)
JENNINGS WILLIE R. JR. "Dub" Jan. 3, 1932 Sept. 27, 2004 MYRTLE JO "Mickey" Oct. 2, 1934 Jan. 4, 1999
4th marriage--1952--NEVA ARLEE BIEN.
From Taylor County, Texas Marriage Records:
Marion E. Bodine AND Neva A. Bien were married 15 March 1952.
He divorced Neva before 1951 by which time she had married Lacy Randolph Jordan and later that year, on 20 Nov 1951 in Howard Co., TX bore her 1st child, Camelia Valerna Jordan. On 27 Jan 1953 in Taylor Co., TX she married 3rdly Glenn Ray Davis from whom she was divorced 29 Jan 1970 in Taylor Co. In this marriage she bore 4 children. Her 4th marriage was to a Mr. Lewis under which name she died.
From Social Security Records:
Neva Arlee Bien applied for a SSN in Feb 1950 and reported she was born 30 March 1934 in Brownwood, Texas to Ira W. & Lettie A. (Greer) Bien. In Aug 1956 she reported her name as Neva Arlee Davis and in Aug 1983 as Neva A. Lewis. Her last residence was Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico. She died 23 Aug 2003.
Burials in Brunson Memorial Cemetery, Eunice, Lea County, New Mexico.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave Memorial No. 73260407)
LEWIS NEVA ARLEE March 30, 1934 August 23, 2003 Loving Wife, Mom and Grandmother
5th marriage--1955--SHIRLEY ANN JONES.
From Harris County, Texas Marriage Records:
Gene Bodine AND Shirley Ann Smith were married 3 June 1955 by N. M. Robinson, Minister.
Child: Donny Gene Bodine. (Note: Donny's daughter, Amber, is a Facebook friend of Wayne Bodine Sr., her uncle.)
6th marriage--1955--ZENOBIA JUANITA HARPER.
Zenobia (Harper) Bodine was the daughter of Waymon Lewis and Lavinnie (Shores) Harper.
From Texas Birth Records:
Ava Mae Bodine was born 29 Nov 1958 in Harris County to Marion Eugene Bodine & Zenobia Juanita Harber.
Nita Lynn Bodine was born 8 April 1960 in Harris County to Marion Eugene Bodine & Zenoba Juanita Harper.
Alice Elane Bodine was born 4 May 1967 in Harris County to Marion Eugene Bodine & Zenobia Juanita Harper.
It appears Marion and Zenobia Bodine were divorced as evidenced by their application to marry in 1974, next.
7th marriage--1974--ZENOBIA JUANITA HARPER. (Unclear if this marriage actually took place.)
The Yuma Daily Sun of 14 Nov 1974 reported that Marion E. Bodine, 49 and Juanita Z. Harper, 41, both of Yuma, had been granted a marriage license the day before.
From The Yuma Daily Sun of Thur. 14 Nov 1974:
Licensed to wed yesterday by the Superior Court Clerk: Marion E. Bodine, 49, and Juanita Z. Harper, 41, both of Yuma.
The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) of 7 July 1945 reported:
ANSON, July 6 (LPH) Another liberated German prisoner has retumed to his home near Anson. Pvt. Gene Bodine, reared near Radium, about 10 miles northwest of Anson, who spent from Jan. 1 to April 27 in prison camp known as Stalag 4-B in Muhlburg, Germany, arrived in Anson June 27 to join his wife, Louise Bodine, and his father, J. A. Bodine of Radium, here on a 60-day furlough. Bodine is to report at the end of this period to the Army redistribution station at Hot Springs, Ark. for further assignment. Bodine, who was in the medical detachment, with the 99th Infanfry Division, 394th Regiment, was wounded and taken prisoner in the famous Von Runstredt bulge in Belgium Dec. 18, and was placed in the German POW camp Jan. 1. Gene says their food was bad and that a few of the boys died from starvation. All the Red Cross parcels and food designated for their camp did not reach their destination, as the Germans, even the civilians, appropriated them to their own use. In running from the approaching Russians, the Germans took the prisoners from the camp and started them on a forced march, when they were liberated by the Russians, who took them back to the camp. The Russians did not like the looks of the fence enclosing the place, saying it made it look like a camp, and tore down the fence and turned the boys loose. Bodine says they took in the country, found Red Cross parcels and food in the basements of nearly all the homes in the vicinity, and that they ate all they wanted. Apparently the Germans were hoarding the food with the idea that times would get harder later. The Germans, civilians and soldiers, in offering excuse for not receiving Red Cross shipments claimed that Allied air raids destroyed trains carrying the goods. At the time of his capture Bodine weighed 167 pounds, when he was liberated he was down to 112, and is now back to 150 pounds. Born Sept. 4, 1925 at Goldsboro, Bodine moved with his family to near Radium in 1939. He entered the Army at Anson, March 10, 1944, and was detailed to the medics, trained at Camp Barkeley, Camp Maxey, and sailed from Boston Sept. 28, landing in England but going soon to France. His mother has been dead for some years. He attended school at Hanna northwest of Anson. He and Louise Glenn were married in Anson Sept. 16. 1943. His wife has been living with her mother in Stamford, but formerly lived in Anson. Before enlisting in the Army, Bodine farmed and worked as a truck driver. For the shrapnel wounds he received in his leg while his outfit was in the famous Seigfried line he has been recommended the Purple Heart, but he was too interested in setting back home to pay any attention to the details in connection with securing this medal.
From Social Security Records:
Marion E. Bodine was born 4 Sept 1925 and died 22 May 1988. His last residence was Merkel, Texas.
From Texas Death Records:
Marion Bodine died 22 May 1988 in Bell County.
Burials in Rose Hill Cemetery, Merkel, Taylor County, Texas.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave Memorial No. 48292397)
MARION EUGENE BODINE US Army World War II Sep 4 1925 May 22 1988
JUANITA Z. BODINE Loving Wife and Mother Jul 31, 1933 [No date]
*****End of info from Ronny Bodine.
From: MlBodi@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Subject: Bodine Geneology
This E-mail is in reference to Marion Eugene "Gene" Bodine. I am also one of his children. My name is Wayne Allen Bodine Sr. He also has another son by my mother Zanobia Juanita Bodine, his name is Audie Eugene Bodine... We reside in Merkel, Texas.
The first child that you have listed is Eva Mae Bodine, her correct first name is Ava... She married Mitchell Wayne Caliendo... They have 2 children. Mary Susan Caliendo born... 1983. Stephanie Carol Caliendo born... 1986.
Nita Lynn Bodine has 3 children. The first, Elizabeth Jean Moody... 1977. The second, David Joseph Moody. The third Amanda Moody...
Alice Elane Bodine has 3 children. The first Brian David Bodine. The second John Wayman Bodine. The third Michelle Woody. Elane has been married twice, the first marriage was to Michael Woody and the second, to which she is still married, Eric Wright...
Audie Eugene Bodine has no biological children. He has been married twice. The first marriage was to Gina Addington. The second marriage was to Dorothy .
Zenobia Juanita Harper was born... 1933. Her father's name was Waymon Lewis Harper. Her mothers name was Lavinnie Shores. She was his 6th wife, not his 5th.
Further information on the Purple Heart awarded to Marion Eugene Bodine. This information was gathered from a news clipping from the Big Springs Herald.
Delayed Honor
Merkel Man Waits 40 Years for Medal
by Carol Baldwin
staff writer
Because of an oversight by the military, Marion E. Bodine waited 40 years for his Purple Heart, a medal given to soldiers injured in battle.
Bodine, a Merkel resident who visits the Veterans Administration Medical Center locally to meet with the area Prisoners of War group, "had a very distinguished military career," John Webb, a VAMC social worker, said.
Bodine was injured in the Battle of the Bulge, an infamous battle on the Belgium border which saw thousand of American soldiers lose their lives.
The 58-year-old had celebrated his 19th birthday days before he found his division, the 99th infantry of the First Army, headed for the massive battle.
The Battle of the Bulge followed several months of combat for Bodine. He had been involved in several "sporadic battles" throughout the area. But this battle "was their (the Germans) last offensive and they knew it. That time we didn't win."
Bodine was pushed into a foxhole with another soldier. The other man was killed instantly when he was shot through his chest.
"The Germans threw everything they had. They tried to wipe out our armies. They didn't make it, but they wiped out several of them."
"We were involved in heavy combat all night." he remembers "a whole division was wiped out, but I never heard any details about it. (The Germans) completely surrounded us," Bodine said.
He and several other men decided to try to drive through enemy ranks in an Army truck. "We were trying to make a run for it. We didn't make it."
Machine-gun fire riddled the truck and most of the men inside were killed. "There wasn't a tire left on that truck," Bodine said. Bodine said he is alive thanks to a friend who lost his life in the truck.
"I was good friends with a guy named Pop Gibson. He is what saved me. When they started riddling the truck with bullets, I fell flat on the floor and he fell on top of me," Bodine said. Gibson was killed by the machine-gun fire.
"There were three of us who got off" the truck, Bodine said. All three were wounded, and Bodine had eight shrapnel wounds, all of which became infected during the days which followed.
Bodine was taken captive on the spot. It was about 2:30 in the morning and "seven degrees below zero. They took my coat," he said.
Bodine and other survivors marched for seven days on their way to a prison camp. "We had to eat snow. They gave us bread twice, and we got sugar beets that had been thrown along the road."
The men were put on a train to be transported to Muhlberg, Germany. While on the train, an American bomber hit the train, and Bodine received another shrapnel wound.
When Bodine reached Muhlberg, he was placed in Stalag 4B. He would stay there about six months. During those six months, he lost 80 pounds, and weighed only 87 pounds when the camp was liberated.
Bodine's camp was liberated by the Russians around December 16th, 1944, and the war ended. He returned home and attempted to put the atrocities of the past out of his mind.
He noticed on his discharge papers that he was to receive a Purple Heart and several other medals, but, "When I got out, I never fooled with it."
In the years since the war, Bodine has made his living driving a truck. "I've lived all over the country, including Houston and Yuma, Ariz.," he said. He and his wife, Juanita, have five children.
Today, he is disabled and semi-retired because of complications from injuries he received in the war and heart problems. He can no longer drive truck.
Webb said he has talked with Bodine several times during his visits at the VAMC, and Bodine "is a very modest man. The VA started a program for POW's, and (Bodine) came in as a result of that. We were talking about his experiences he'd had and he mentioned he had never gotten his Purple Heart."
Webb immediately wrote to the Department of Army, requesting that the medal be sent to Bodine. Forty years after the war, but only four months after the request, Bodine has his Purple Heart.
But despite the long wait, Bodine, who received the medal Wednesday, said, "I'm proud of it."
We figure that this article was written in 1983. All that I have is a photo copy that my mother sent me. It does not have any dates on it, but my mother has the originals.
Marion Eugene Bodine was Honorably Discharged from the Army on October 19, 1945.