WILTS, Julius G. 1918-1996

WILTS, HEIKENS, HADLEY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/11/2019 at 13:30:24

Services Held For Julius "Jay" Wilts

Julius "Jay" Wilts, age 78, of Eldora, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 1996, at the Eldora Regional Medical Center in Eldora of natural causes.

Julius was born on June 14, 1918, the son of Gratus and Margaret (Heikens) Wilts in Hardin County, Iowa. He was raised and attended school in the Steamboat Rock area. In April of 1941, he entered the Army spending most of the time with infantry of the 34th Division, serving in North Africa.

September 3, 1947, he was united in marriage with Kathryn J. Hadley in New Providence, Iowa. He was part owner/operator of the Hadley Grain Company in Eldora for sixteen years. Jay was then employed at Dayco Products, Inc. in Eldora from which he retired in 1986 after sixteen years of service.

Julius was a member of the Walter-Sayer American Legion Post #182, Roll-Harless VFW Post 3974, the Red Bull 34th Division, and the First Congregational United Church of Christ. He also had a special interest in antique cars and was undoubtedly one of the original "Home Improvements" rebuilders! This, in addition to his constant giving of himself to his family, friends, and community.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Fannie Ohling and Henrietta Wilts.

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn, of Eldora; daughter, Diane Blackstock and husband, Richard, of Mayflower, Arkansas; son, Mark and wife Teresa of Marshalltown; three grandchildren, Becky and Jeff Blackstock and Matraisa (Maci) Wilts; brother, Orville and wife, Marjorie, of Steamboat Rock; brother-in-law, Robert Hadley and wife, Ethel, of Cedar Rapids, uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Pickering of Eldora; and several nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, June 26, 1996, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with inurnment following in the Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, both in Eldora. Full Military Graveside Rites were conducted by the Walter-Sayer American Legion Post #182 and Roll-Harless VFW Post 3974. Cremation took place prior to services, per Julius' wishes. A memorial fund has been established.

The Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora, Iowa, was in charge of the professional arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 June 1996, pg 3