John "Irvin" Irvin Cyrus

Lilah Crowe2021-03-30T10:50:41-05:00

Name: John "Irvin" Irvin Cyrus
Location of Birth: Luverne, North Dakota
Date of Birth: August 17, 1919
Date of Death: July 15, 1990
Parents: John Cyrus & Alma (Ellefson) Cyrus
High School and Class: 1937 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank: AMM 2/c (Aviation Machinist's Mate Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Branch: Navy
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: May 2, 1942
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge: October 16, 1945
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: John Irvin Cyrus
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: August 17, 1919
Birth Place: LaVern, North Dakota, USA
Residence Place: Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: October 16, 1940
Employer: Danube Mining Co., Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 140
Height: 5-11
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: John Cyrus, father, Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - December 25, 1942 – “Dear Friends: I am writing this letter to thank all of you for the very nice gifts that you sent to me for Christmas. I know I shouldn’t have opened it until Christmas, but we have no place here to keep our gifts until Christmas, so we open them as soon as they come in. I have been here at Navy Pier since July the 1st, and am leaving here about the 8th of January. I have been going to a school for aviation mechanics all this time. Six months in one place is quite a long time, so will be glad to leave here. Besides, it is getting quite cold here now. Nothing like it is at home, but cold enough. It is snowing very hard today so I imagine we are in for a few colder days. I don’t know just how to address this letter, but will send it to the Bovey Service Men’s Club, hoping it will find its way o.k. Thanking all of you very, very much, I will close. God bless all of you and best of luck. As ever, John Irvin Cyrus.”

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - October 1, 1943 - "Sunday, September 12th. Dear Friends: I have received two letters from the Service Club within the last week. One from Mrs. Bretall and the other from H.S. Barnes, Sr. I wish to thank both of these people for writing, and also all the others that are writing to cheer the boys all over the world. I'm sure they all enjoy hearing from you as much as I do. I also wish to thank you for sending me the Bovey Press. I receive it quite regular, even if I am way down here, somewhere in the Solomon Islands. I enjoy the Press very much and especially like the Service Men's Page, as it gives a fellow a chance to learn where some of his friends are located. Your Club is doing a wonderful job, and I know it is greatly appreciated by all us fellows in the service. Thank you. Sincerely, John Irvin Cyrus, AMM 2c."

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
John Irvin Cyrus married Helen Kangas in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 1942. He was employed as a purchasing agent for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mines until retirement in 1980. The couple resided in Grand Rapids, Minnesota until 1968, then Ishpeming, Michigan until 1981, then Forest Lake, Minnesota until 1982 when they moved to Cambridge, Minnesota. Irvin married Betty Wagner and they resided in McAllen, Texas.

Irvin Cyrus died in Cambridge, Minnesota and is buried in Cambridge Lutheran Cemetery, Cambridge, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Betty; three daughters and sons-in-law, Karen & Jay Bowers, Lynn & Michael Anderson, and Gayle & Ron Sampson; five step-children and spouses, Joe & Diana Kipp, Judy & Kevin O’Brien, Jeanne & Ray Steensma, Mary & David Torbett, and Joan & Lonnie Massey; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers and spouses, Gordon & Marian Cyrus and Harold & Agnes Cyrus; and one sister and spouse, Elaine & Archie Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Helen; and one brother, Vernon Cyrus.

Tribal Affiliation(s):