Sun City West, Ariz.: Harold J. Cornelius, 87, of Sun City West, Ariz., passed away peacefully June 5, 2013, following a brief illness. Born and raised in Aberdeen, S.D., he graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1943. That fall, he joined the U.S. Army and arrived in France in September 1944, as a member of the 10th Armored Division, 3rd Army, under General Patton. He served in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne in December 1944, and was in one of the first American divisions to cross into Germany in early 1945. Soon after the war, he married Lila Rowlands in Aberdeen, S.D., and worked as an auditor for Mobil Oil. Later, they moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota, from there to Greeley, Colo., and he worked as an administrator in the health care and social services fields. He continued his education and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in business at the University of Northern Colorado. Since retirement, he and his wife enjoyed life in Sun City West, Ariz. He is survived by Lila, his wife of 67 years; sons: Rich and Brian of Sun City West; Tom of Parker, Colo.; and daughter, Sheila of Athens, Ga.; two sisters: Esther and Florence, both of Illinois; plus several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents: John and Tena Cornelius; sister, Helen, Bismarck, N.D.; and brother John, Aberdeen, S.D. Arrangements made by Abel Funeral Services. Private services will be held with later interment, with military honors at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, S.D.
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