Wirkler, Donald Eldo 1917-1995

SOLTOW, WIRKLER, SCHWEINEFUS, MOON, LIDDLE, GEHRING

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 4/29/2007 at 20:27:30

Donald Wirkler

Donald Eldo Wirkler, son of Eldo and Lena (Soltow) Wirkler, was born May 3, 1917 at Monona, Iowa. He died Tuesday, March 21, 1995 at Prairie Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He was 77 years old.

He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. After graduating from Monona High School in 1935 he and his dad worked together establishing a plumbing and heating business. Don was called to duty during WW II and served with the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1942 at Chanute Field, Ill., Fort Sheridan, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah; Camp Williams Air Drome, Wisconsin and Camp Stoneman, California. He was then sent over seas to New Hebrides as an aircraft instrument repair technician. He returned to Kessler Field, Miss., and Goodfellow Field, Texas, where he was further trained to fly the B-25 low level bomber. He was then honorable discharged from the service and returned to Monona, living with the extended family of Bob and Marian Wirkler. He and his brother Bob re-established the business known as Wirkler Bros. Plumbing and Heating in 1946. Bob and Don previously worked with their father beginning in 1932.

On January 7, 1956 he married Mabel Schweinefus of Ossian. Mabel died in 1957. On March 15, 1958 he and Jeanne Moon of Luana were married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church parsonage in Preston, Minnesota.

Don retired from the business in 1982. Since that time, he kept active in community projects as well as gardening and some traveling. He was a member of the American Legion.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Eldo in 1944 and Lena in 1945; and his brother, Woodrow in 1985.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne; two sisters, Evelyn Liddle and spouse Boyd of Wooster, Ohio, and Betty Gehring and spouse Howell of Monona, and brother, Robert Wirkler and spouse Marian of Monona. Countless friends and remaining relatives will miss his passing.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 25, 1995 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. Officiating were Rev. Terry Hudson, Rev. Charles Miller, and Rev. Eugene Kramer. Organist was Mrs. Connie Halvorson. Soloist was Fremont Ogle. Honorary pallbearers were Elsie and Pete Kettelkamp, Helen and Andy Wold, Fern and Oscar Erickson, Marydel and Adrian Huinker, Gordon Schultz, Ramona Krambeer, Helen Meyer, Harriet Plaehn, Pat and John Cooper, Darlene and Charley Willson, Ann and Jim Kling, Roger Zach and Gerry Willie. Active pallbearers were Garry Meyer, Bob Meine, Ray DeSotel, Bill Possehl, Kurt Gerdes, Dick Wold, Gene Kling and Steve Goltz. Schultz's Funeral Home of Monona was in charge of services. Burial was in the Monona City Cemetery. Full military rites were accorded by Leslie H. Smith American Legion Post 519.

Postville Herald-Leader newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection. Submitter has no further information.