Sonny was born March 11, 1932 in the Plymouth Rock area west of Burr Oak, Iowa to Eugene and Clara (Casterton) McCabe. He attended school in Burr Oak and Canton. He served 4 years in the United States Army and received a Purple Heart after being injured during the Korean War. During his tour, he also visited Guam and Japan. He was married toLaVonne Solem. They later divorced. On December 8, 1962 he married Marlene Neshiem at the Garness Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Mabel. They later divorced in 1986. He worked on construction in Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, and Nebraska for 13 years, and later was a construction foreman in the Decorah area, which included working and reading blueprints on the two tower dormitories, the library, and the Center for Faith and Life at the Luther College campus, as well as the Decorah Sewer Plant. He was a successful farmer, but was known more as the former owner of the Crystal Inn, McCabe’s Supper Club, and lastly McCabe’s Corner Bar in Decorah.
Sonny passed away Friday, January 29, 2016 at Wellington Place in Decorah at the age of 83.
Sonny is survived by a daughter Charaye McCabe of Burr Oak; his former wife Marlene McCabe of Burr Oak; two brothers Gary (Carol), and Joey (Mary) both of Burr Oak, Iowa; and seven sisters Janice (Leroy) Stone of Mabel, Culah (Dan) Pellegrini of Newton, Massachusetts, Diane (Andy)Saltis of Abington, Massachusetts, Linda (Harv) Swehla of Foley, Alabama, Kathy (Rick) Ellestad of Spring Hill, Florida, Teryl Sue (John) Logsdon of Ossian, Iowa, and Jill (Dan) Dawley of Burr Oak, Iowa. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Rita Branham and Judith Hentges; and an infant brother; five half-brothers and sisters Howard McCabe, Lois Hagen, Merlin McCabe, Pauline Lawler, and Thelma Elliott.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 5, 2016at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Iowa with the Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday, February 4 at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church and again one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery.
