Milledge, Ollie J. 1931-2007

MILLEDGE, DEGEEST, GURNEY

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2008 at 20:41:58

Ollie J. Milledge was born on Dec. 7, 1931, at home near Harvey. He was the youngest of nine children born to Mary DeGeest and Ollie L. Milledge. Ollie attended grade school in Harvey and started high school in Lacey. He graduated with the class of 1949 at Tracy High School. While in school Ollie participated in sports. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1951, Ollie was a navy corpsman attached to a marine division. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

Ollie married Ladana Ann Gurney. To this union four children were born. Ollie was employed by the utility company in Pella and Knoxville before moving to Knoxville. Ollie then worked as associate registrar at the VA Medical Center in Knoxville. He retired in 1987 after 30 years service to the U.S. Government. Ollie then worked part time 10 years at the Marion County Auditor's Office

Though Ollie had many interests, his main concern was for the welfare of Ladana and his children and grandchildren. He was an avid gardener, fisherman and mushroom hunter. He also enjoyed dancing, family reunions, attending auctions and researching family genealogy. Ollie was a member of the Bellefountaine Masonic Lodge at Tracy until its closing.

Ollie Milledge passed away on May 8, 2007 at the Pella Regional Health Care Center at the age of 75.

Preceding Ollie in death were his parents, one infant son, Craig; three sisters, Hazel (Engle) Vander Veer, Jessie (Cleo) Holdsworth and Lilly (Park) Lundy; three brothers, Floyd (Ruth), Murray (Lorraine) and Edward (Rilla) Milledge and father-in-law, Haldene Gurney.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 52 years, Ladana of Knoxville; three daughters and their husbands, Becky and Wally Johnson of Mt. Pleasant, Vicki and Scott Wehrle of Pleasant Hill and Diana and Jim Beaver of Knoxville; two granddaughters; four grandsons; two sisters and their husbands, Maxine and Pat Riggen and Marvaina and James Leeper of Harvey; mother-in-law, Mildred Gurney of Tracy and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor Neil Montz officiating. Interment was in Bellefountaine Cemetery in rural Mahaska County.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Milledge may be made to the Knoxville First United Methodist Church, Harvey Community Center and Clay Township Fire and Rescue.

The Knoxville Journal Express, May 18, 2007