JACK B. WILKEY

Jack B. Wilkey, son of Harold Aaron (Jack) and Lula (Wagaman) Wilkey, was born September 8, 1929, near Villisca, in Montgomery County, IA. He was the fifth child of what later would become nine.
The family moved around a lot, living in various communities such as Villisca, Sharpsburg, Diagonal and finally to Ellston, IA which would become his forever home.
Jack attended Ellston school through his eighth-grade year, ultimately ending his school years and going to work with his dad and for various farmers in the area. He was always a hard worker, but still had time for some fun.
In 1951, Jack entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War in the artillery, attaining the rank of Corporal, leaving with an honorable discharge in 1953. He was a proud veteran and told many stories to us about his experience.
After returning home, he and his dad moved to South Dakota to work and farm. About a year and a half of dry summers and hard winter, Jack returned to the Ellston area.
Eventually, he met his wife of nearly 52 years, Marilyn Sue German. They were married on October 5, 1955, at the Loving Chapel in Leon, IA. To this union, four children were born: Steven Jack, Aaron LeRoy, Curtis Wayne and Brenda Sue. When oldest son, Steve, was one year old, they bought their farm north and east of Ellston on Sand Creek and spent the next 64 years there farming and raising their family.
Jack and Marilyn worked side by side raising cattle, corn, beans, milking cows, raising hogs, chickens, letting the kids have various pets such as goats, rabbits, horses, dogs, cats and gardening too. Jack’s ultimate love was raising his cattle. He enjoyed walking out and looking over his herd, and when he weaned the calves, he would bucket feed them, walking down the bunks as they came up to eat. He almost had them for pets!
Another favorite pastime for Jack was fishing. He had numerous fishing trips with his sons, grandsons and friends, going to South Dakota, Lake Michigan and even Canada. Sharing those whopper fishing stories as all fishermen do! And the ones that got away!!
Jack raised his kids trying to instill in them his hard work ethics. He had a firm hand when needed, but we all know he did it with love, teaching us to respect others and ourselves. His word and handshake were as good as any contract.
Jack was very private when talking about his belief in God and his personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. No man truly knows another man’s heart; only God truly knows our hearts. What Jack did relate to many was that God had surely been with him during his time in the Korean War and during his 30 plus years of heart disease; he gave God credit for extending his life. Jack was baptized in the Ellston Methodist Church back when his young family was growing. Then, later in life, Jack and Marilyn both came forward during a revival meeting in Mount Ayr and prayed the sinner’s prayer with the preacher and asked Jesus to save them.
Jack passed away August 18, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn, in 2007; siblings; Sam Wilkey, Jim Wilkey, Frank Wilkey, Leonard Wilkey, Wilmina Jennings, Iona Jill Wilkey, Lula Rae Wilkey.
Survivors include his children; Steve (Diana) Wilkey of Gretna, NE, Dr. Aaron (Renee) Wilkey of Tingley, IA, Curtis (Debbie) Wilkey of Thayer, IA, Brenda (Jeff) Woody of Mount Ayr; sister; Helen Robbins of Wardsville, MO; grandchildren; Nick (Callista) Wilkey, Jason (Katie) Wilkey, Kristin (Derek) Lambert, Dan (Steph) Wilkey, Amy (Chad) Mefford, Amanda (Tomi) Overholser, Adam (Liz) Jackson, Cameron (Lacey) Woody, Allen (Carrie) Woody; great grandchildren; Nash and Ethan Wilkey, Savana and Isabella Wilkey, Jack and Leo Mefford, Abbi and Brodie Overholser, Kasen Jackson, Brayden and Brody Fields, Lauren and Austin Wilkey, Carter and Adler Reed, Cayden and Payten Lambert, Finn Woody, Jaiden and Luke Lurtz; many nieces and nephews; cousins; Nadine Blume of Clarinda, IA and Joe Overman of Oregon.
Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Family graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021 at the Ellston Cemetery in Ellston, IA.
Officiating was Pastor Bill Armstrong.
Music was “Daddy’s Hands” and “Wings of a Snow-White Dove”.
Vocalist was John Allen.
Pallbearers were Nick Wilkey, Jason Wilkey, Kristin Lambert, Dan Wilkey, Amy Mefford, Amanda Overholser, Adam Jackson, Cameron Woody and Allen Woody.
Honorary pallbearers were Arvin Van Hall, Geryle Peterson and Rex Fowler.
Military Honors by Emmett Liles Post 541, American Legion and U.S. Army Honor Guard. Taps by Jason Wilkey.
At rest at the Ellston Cemetery in Ellston, IA.
Memorials are to the United Methodist Church and American Legion in Ellston.