Gerald Wirth (1933-2019)

WIRTH, HAMILTON, GALLOWAY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:30

Gerald Leon Galloway Wirth, 85, of Lost Nation, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at WestWing Place in DeWitt, Iowa.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, August 15, 2019, at Union Presbyterian Church in Lost Nation, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Elwood, Iowa Cemetery, with military honors.

Gerald was born on December 4, 1933 in Elwood, Iowa, to Harold and Wava (Hamilton) Galloway. At the age of 16 he was adopted by Raymond and Florence (Galloway) Wirth. He was a 1952 graduate of Elwood High School and then served his country in the U.S. Navy earning an honorable discharge.

He married Barbara L. Margeson on November 11, 1956 in Elwood, Iowa and to this union five children were born, Brenda, Jill, Joy, Teresa and Timothy.

Upon returning home from serving his country, Gerald farmed the family farm for 39 years, and worked as a truck driver for Stanton, Amhof, Grant and Hainstock Long Haul Trucking companies receiving three safe driving awards for driving two plus million miles.

Gerald was a 60-year member of the Union Presbyterian Church in Lost Nation, Lost Nation/Elwood Telephone Board member for over 35 years, Lost Nation School Board member serving two terms and a Farm Bureau Board member.

Gerald enjoyed bowling, camping, fishing, gardening, woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, baking chocolate chip cookies, and all kinds of music. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and liked watching birds especially Cardinals. Most importantly, he loved spending time at family gatherings and with the grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Barbara Wirth of Lost Nation, IA; children, Brenda Smith of Lost Nation, IA, Jill (Brian) Bonney of Lost Nation, IA, Joy (Bob) Beuthien of Hartsburg, MO, Teresa (Tom) Hovar of Belton, MO, and Timothy Wirth of DeWitt, IA; 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson; and siblings, Earl "Dude" (Joan) Galloway, Larry (Pat) Galloway, Al (Pam) Galloway, and Jim (Bev) Galloway; and sisters, Barb (Ken) Schroeder, Marcia (Ron) Barten, Linda Miller, Phyllis Goldensoph, and Gladyce (Ken) Butt.

He was preceded in death by his biological and adopted parents, six brothers Floyd Wirth, Roger, Don, Dwain, Jeff and Russell Galloway, four sisters Maxine Kolb, Rhea Hasenmiller, Darlene Simmons and one in infancy, a grandchild Bridgette Beuthien, and a son-in-law Robert Lynn Smith on July 29, 2019.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Gerald Leon Galloway Wirth memorial fund has been established.

Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.