Wych, Joseph "Joe" D. 1921-2012

WYCH, PIPPETT, DANIEL

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/6/2017 at 21:44:26

Joseph "Joe" Wych, 91, of rural Akron, Iowa passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at his home near Akron.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron. Reverend Barbara Joy will officiate. Burial with military rites conducted by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 and the United States Army Reserves will be in Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation will be after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012, with the family present after 5:00 p.m., and a Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home - Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.carlsenfuneralhome.com

Joseph D. Wych was born May 11, 1921 on a farm in Grand Meadow Township, rural Washta, Iowa, the son of George H. and Nettie M. (Pippett) Wych. He attended school at Grand Meadow where he played basketball and baseball. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1938. After graduation, he helped on the family farm and worked for neighbors when help was needed. He also played basketball and baseball with the Washta Town Teams. Later, he lived with and worked for the Glen Townsend family for two years.

Joe was drafted into the United States military on October 22, 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Force after reporting to Camp Dodge. He then went to Sheppard Field, Texas to begin aircraft engine mechanic school. Later, he went to Chanute Field in Illinois for electrical mechanic school. He was assigned to the P-47 Fighter group in Westover Field, Massachusetts. He and his squadron were then sent to Mitchell Field in Long Island, New York where the pilots and crews trained. On December 29, 1943, he was among 8,000 troops who left Boston Harbor on the SS Argentina headed to the British Isles for the start of the buildup for the D-day Invasion. Joe received the rank of Staff Sgt., serving in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. For his service to his country, he was awarded six Bronze Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. On October 10, 1945, he and his crew left Marseille, France to head back to the United States. On October 19, 1945, they arrived in Norfolk, Virginia. He was honorably discharged at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Following the service, he returned to Washta and started farming with his parents until renting a nearby farm in 1947. It was during this time he met his future wife, Marg Daniel.

He was united in marriage to Marg on June 10, 1947 at the Kingsley United Methodist Church. Marg and Joe moved to a farm near Cherokee, Iowa for a short time before moving to their current homestead south of Akron in January of 1949. Marg passed away September 3, 2011.

Joe was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron, and Plymouth County Farm Bureau. He was on the board of directors of the Akron Farmers Co-op for 12 years. He and Marg enjoyed several trips overseas to see relatives in England and Europe and other trips to Mexico and around the United States. He and Marg enjoyed going to Akron High School sporting events for many years. The have been fans of Akron-Westfield sports for over 60 years. Joe and Marg received the "Fan of the Year" award two times. They also served as Parade Marshalls for the Homecoming celebration. Joe enjoyed bowling. He bowled in three leagues and was inducted into the Akron Lanes Hall of Fame. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Indianapolis Colts, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Joe loved the times spent with family and friends. He will be greatly missed

Survivors include his three sons: Bob Wych (Debbie) of Sedona, AZ, Jerry Wych of Fullerton, CA, and Ron Wych (Sandy) of Akron, IA; six grandchildren: Heidi Cline (Nate), Aaron Wych (Abbi), Charity Leekley, Tori Dye (fiance Jason Pangburn), Joe Wych, and Jake Wych; a great granddaughter: Hope Hasenbank; a sister-in-law: Patricia White; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marg; and two brothers: Paul and Kenneth.

Memorials can be made in Joe's name to the Akron Care Center Building Fund in c/o the Akron Care Center, 121 South Street, Akron, Iowa 51001. 91, of rural Akron, Iowa passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at his home near Akron.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron. Reverend Barbara Joy will officiate. Burial with military rites conducted by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 and the United States Army Reserves will be in Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation will be after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012, with the family present after 5:00 p.m., and a Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home - Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.carlsenfuneralhome.com

Joseph D. Wych was born May 11, 1921 on a farm in Grand Meadow Township, rural Washta, Iowa, the son of George H. and Nettie M. (Pippett) Wych. He attended school at Grand Meadow where he played basketball and baseball. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1938. After graduation, he helped on the family farm and worked for neighbors when help was needed. He also played basketball and baseball with the Washta Town Teams. Later, he lived with and worked for the Glen Townsend family for two years.

Joe was drafted into the United States military on October 22, 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Force after reporting to Camp Dodge. He then went to Sheppard Field, Texas to begin aircraft engine mechanic school. Later, he went to Chanute Field in Illinois for electrical mechanic school. He was assigned to the P-47 Fighter group in Westover Field, Massachusetts. He and his squadron were then sent to Mitchell Field in Long Island, New York where the pilots and crews trained. On December 29, 1943, he was among 8,000 troops who left Boston Harbor on the SS Argentina headed to the British Isles for the start of the buildup for the D-day Invasion. Joe received the rank of Staff Sgt., serving in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. For his service to his country, he was awarded six Bronze Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. On October 10, 1945, he and his crew left Marseille, France to head back to the United States. On October 19, 1945, they arrived in Norfolk, Virginia. He was honorably discharged at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Following the service, he returned to Washta and started farming with his parents until renting a nearby farm in 1947. It was during this time he met his future wife, Marg Daniel.

He was united in marriage to Marg on June 10, 1947 at the Kingsley United Methodist Church. Marg and Joe moved to a farm near Cherokee, Iowa for a short time before moving to their current homestead south of Akron in January of 1949. Marg passed away September 3, 2011.

Joe was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron, and Plymouth County Farm Bureau. He was on the board of directors of the Akron Farmers Co-op for 12 years. He and Marg enjoyed several trips overseas to see relatives in England and Europe and other trips to Mexico and around the United States. He and Marg enjoyed going to Akron High School sporting events for many years. The have been fans of Akron-Westfield sports for over 60 years. Joe and Marg received the "Fan of the Year" award two times. They also served as Parade Marshalls for the Homecoming celebration. Joe enjoyed bowling. He bowled in three leagues and was inducted into the Akron Lanes Hall of Fame. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Indianapolis Colts, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Joe loved the times spent with family and friends. He will be greatly missed

Survivors include his three sons: Bob Wych (Debbie) of Sedona, AZ, Jerry Wych of Fullerton, CA, and Ron Wych (Sandy) of Akron, IA; six grandchildren: Heidi Cline (Nate), Aaron Wych (Abbi), Charity Leekley, Tori Dye (fiance Jason Pangburn), Joe Wych, and Jake Wych; a great granddaughter: Hope Hasenbank; a sister-in-law: Patricia White; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marg; and two brothers: Paul and Kenneth.

Memorials can be made in Joe's name to the Akron Care Center Building Fund in c/o the Akron Care Center, 121 South Street, Akron, Iowa 51001.

Carlsen Funeral Home