Gary Gene WECKERLIN, Sr.

WECKERLIN, BERGER, TURK, CALIGER, MOSEY, PEEK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/10/2012 at 14:33:20

February 28, 1933 --- September 12, 2010

Gary Gene Weckerlin, Sr., 77, of Clive, died Sept. 12, 2010, at Trinity at Luther Park. Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. Graveside services were 3 p.m. Wednesday at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Westover Funeral Chapel in Des Moines was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. Gary Gene Weckerlin Sr., son of Edith Henrietta (Berger) and Leo Benjamin Weckerlin, was born Feb. 28, 1933, in St. Joseph, Mo.

Creston News-Advertiser - Iowa
September 17, 2010

*********************
Gary Weckerlin entered eternal rest on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at Trinity Center at Luther Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion, Iowa.

Gary, the second of three sons of Edith Henrietta (Berger) and Leo Benjamin Weckerlin was born February 28, 1933 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was baptized December 10, 1933 and confirmed April 14, 1946 at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Gary attended St. Joseph Junior College, graduating May 29, 1952, with an Associates of Science degree. September 1952 he enrolled in the college of Education at Drake University in Des Moines to become a chemistry teacher. In January 1953 Gary transferred to the College of Pharmacy and received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree on June 4, 1956 in the Drake University Field House. He was a member of Phi Delta Chi and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternities. Gary was a pitcher on the intramural softball team earning a medal. In June, 1956, he passed the Iowa State Board of Pharmacy in Des Moines and the Missouri State Boards in St. Louis, MO.

On August 19, 1956 he married Francine Turk of Clarion, Iowa. They resided in St. Joseph, where Gary was employed at Herman's Drug Store. On December 7, 1957 he enlisted in the Army and went on active duty January 8, 1958 for six months. He was assigned to the Basic Army Administration Corps as a clerk Typist stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

On July 7, 1958 he and Francine moved to Creston, Iowa where their three children were born and raised. Gary was in the Army Reserves Co. B, 3rd Bn, 17th inf. for five years. He went to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin every August for 2 weeks training. Gary was promoted to acting Staff Sergeant, E-6, on July 16, 1962. He was honorably discharged on December 16, 1963. While in Creston Gary began working for Hanson, Mitchell and Vetterick Associates at Crest Pharmacy located in the Creston Medical Clinic as staff pharmacist. He spent a short time as a part time pharmacist at Greater Community Hospital. In 1976, he purchased Crest Pharmacy which was remodeled and expanded in 1981. Gary retired in January of 1993 and sold the business.

On March 30, 2002 he became a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. On July 17, 2005 he moved to Deerfield in Urbandale and became a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. In November 2007, he entered Timberland Health Care Center at Deerfield. Due to his illness Gary moved February 22, 2008 to Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines.

Gary enjoyed watching sports. He played tennis and softball as a youth and was scouted by a semi pro team. Gary also bowled on the Creston Medical Clinic team and golfed at Crestmoor golf Club in former years. He never missed any activity the children were doing from grade school to college. Gary liked to antique hunt, refinish furniture and go to auctions.

Gary is survived by his loving and caring wife of 54 years, Francine, and children and grandchildren; Gary, Jr. (Christy), Marc Robert and Anna Christine Weckerlin of Coralville, David (Leslie), Carl David and Sofia Grace Weckerlin of Crystal Lake, IL, and Diana (Tim), Elijah Daniel and Aniah Grace Caliger of Urbandale; his brother Donald (Laura) Weckerlin of St. Joseph, MO; sister-in-law, Phyllis Weckerlin of Elkhorn, NE, nieces, Karla (Mike) Mosey of Grand Junction, CO, Leah (Dennis), Lauren, Taylor and Joshua Peek of St. Joseph, MO, and nephews, Brad (Laura), Griffin Weckerlin of Omaha, NE, Tim (Michelle) and Madison Weckerlin of Gig Harbor, WA. He was preceded in death by his father December 21, 1979, his mother October 31, 1991, and his older brother Leo, Jr. on December 10, 2003.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Trinity Center at Luther Park. The family thanks the staff at Trinity for their excellent, loving care of Gary.
ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL.

http://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/_mgxroot/page_10785.php