Wilson, Warren V

WILSON, BLANCHARD

Posted By: Nancy Wagner (email)
Date: 11/28/2014 at 15:36:53

Wilson, Warren V. The Morning Sun News-Herald, September 25, 2014 accompanied by a photo. Also in The Wapello Republican, September 25, 2014 accompanied by a photo.

Warren V. Wilson, 74, of rural Blandinsville, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Thursday, September 18, 2014.

He was born and raised in Morning Sun, Iowa, to parents Arthur Verne Wilson and Nellie Evelyn (Blanchard) Wilson. Like his father, he loved the outdoors – the timberland of rural Southeast Iowa and Lake Odessa. His passions were duck and goose hunting, trapping, boating, and water skiing.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Social Studies Education from Iowa Wesleyan College, a Masters Degree in English from Western Illinois University, and pursued a PhD in English at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. He taught Literature and Composition for the Wapello, Iowa Community School District, Western Illinois University, Spoon River College, and Southeastern Community College, Burlington, IA.

He studied, taught, and loved American Literature, particularly works by William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, and Robert Penn Warren, and their words and ideas were woven into the fabric of his daily life, giving meaning to his world as he shared and taught, whether in a classroom or around the kitchen table. In the late 1970s he became an avid lover of fold and “outlaw” country music and Warren and Bev’s house on Pearl Street became a stopping place for local musicians. In 1983, they bought land north of Blandinsville, Illinois and devoted themselves to country living, rebuilding an old farm house, planting flowers and trees, and building a locally famous asparagus business. His legacy, together with Beg, was a home that was a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors. Warren’s parting comment to guests was always “Come Back!” and they always did.

He is survived by his wife Beverly Braniff-Wilson of rural Blandinsville; his two sisters, Mary Evelyn Pankey of Mooresville, North Carolina and Janet Wilson of Nashville, Tennessee; two children, Jacque (Marshal) Wilson-Jordan of MaComb and Darren (Brenda Coulter) Wilson of Morning Sun, Iowa; two step sons, Pat (Kathleen Hanrahan) Braniff of Forest Park Illinnois and Shawn (Kellee) Braniff of Sellersburg, Indiana; seven grandchildren and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved aunts and uncles.

Visitation will take place Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home, 135 South Chestnut, Blandinsville, Illinois. A private burial service will follow.

Creamation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be made to the Blandinsville Fire and Rescue Squad.

You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at Clugstontibbittsfh.com