Someone back in Peoria e-mailed my dad about Denny's passing and I am sad too. I was a lover of steamboat history from a young age as I grew up in Peoria IL. When I got my chance back in 1976, I joined the crew as a wide eyed young 16 year old on her very FIRST job...believe me, my summmer on The JBS was VERY memorable! My folks took me to Evansville, IN (where the JBS wintered) to join the crew and I lived and worked with Capt. Trone, his family, and several other regular crew members. Probably the highlight of the summer was the wonderful trip from Evansville to Peoria that included meeting and sharing crew duties with John Hartford!

Far too soon I had to go back to school in the fall
Rules for age of employment on the JBS changed the next year (1977) so I could not go back to work for them that year as I was no longer old enough...by the time 1978 rolled around I was in school year round and could not go back.

I have never forgotten the experience that summer...and capt. Trone will always remain my hero:) ...along with his family and the crew I met that summer!

Sandy