Gerald Garland Wion 1928-2011

AKERS, WION, HANSON, PETERS

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 11/26/2011 at 22:15:06

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa November 9, 2011)

WION, Gerald Garland, 82, of Lamoni, Iowa, died on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Israel Family Hospice in Ames, Iowa. Following cremation, a memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Lamoni United Methodist Church in Lamoni with Pastor Jodi Rushing officiating. Luncheon at the church will follow the service. Arrangements are through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni, Iowa. Burial and a graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at Blair Cemetery, in Blair, Nebraska.

Memorials should be directed to your favorite charity or the American Cancer Society.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa November 9, 2011)

GERALD GARLAND WION ... Gerald G. Wion, age 82 of Lamoni, Iowa, passed away November 3, 2011 at Israel Family Hospice in Ames, Iowa.

Jerry was born December 31, 1928 in Davis City, Iowa to Fred and Byrdie Opal Akers Wion. He grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and quickly learned the value of hard work; at age 15, he took his first job off the farm as a welder's helper for Great Lakes Pipeline. Jerry was naturally outgoing, and an entrepreneur at heart. Many of his work activities were related to the trucking industry. He started with one truck hauling machinery in the Carolinas. For many years, he was affiliated with Midwest Coast Trucking, working out of Omaha. He established his own trucking firm, F and P Corporation in Omaha, and grew it to an operation with over one hundred trucks on the road. In 1988, he established a trucking school in Lamoni, the Driving Academy.

Jerry was also involved in other diverse endeavors. For several years, he owned and operated "My Apartment", an Omaha lounge, During the 50's and 60's he owned a custom combining operation which followed the wheat harvest from Oklahoma to Canada. As a clothing sales representative in the 60's and 70's, Jerry combined the advantages of new cell phone technology and a recreational vehicle to enhance his business. He modified the RV to hold racks of clothing, then hit the road and called ahead to invite his various commercial clients to join him in the RV for a cup of coffee, lively conversation, and a chance to inspect and order the latest clothing fashions for the coming year.

Jerry married Marymaude Bedford Hanson of Blair, Nebraska in June 1988; they made their home in Blair until Marymaude passed away in 1996. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister Peggy Wion, a step-child, Cooper Hanson, as well as brothers Myles (Lamoni), Dwight (Leon) and Leslie (Independence, MO). He is survived by a sister Margaret Peters, of Oskaloosa, IA, and a brother William Wion (Geri) of Tucson, AZ. Jerry is also survived by three step-children, sisters-in-law Bernita Wion (Leon) and Nancy Wion (Independence, MO), and numerous nieces and nephews.

In his long and active life, Jerry made many friends who will miss his loyalty, sharp sense of humor, helpfulness, and engaging conversations on a wide range of issues. Generous and big-hearted, he frequently helped others. He followed and supported Lamoni High School sports teams. When he learned the football team did not have pre-game meals, Jerry sponsored team meals that were wonderfully prepared and served by women from the United Methodist Church for about ten seasons.