Wendell Wilcox

February 4, 1930 - July 14, 2018

Wendell Paul Wilcox, 88, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on July 14, 2018 at the Bloomfield Care Center. He was born on February 4, 1930 in Drakesville, Iowa to Mark and Frances Fouts Wilcox and was raised in northwest Davis County. Wendell attended the Soap Center School, Ash Grove School, and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1948. He proudly served his country in the Air Force from 1951-1955 as a hydraulic instructor and was a veteran of the Korean War. Wendell worked at John Morrell & Company for 25 years, the Bloomfield Lumber Yard, Walters Buildings, and Davis Seed Corn – retiring at the age of 72. He loved farming, working at the Iowa State Fair, and meeting farmers all over Iowa as a salesman. He never met a stranger. On August 6, 1950, Wendell married Elaine Johnson at the Ash Grove Methodist Church and celebrated nearly 66 years together before her passing in 2016. They farmed in Wapello and Davis Counties for many years before retiring to Bloomfield. Wendell was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Ottumwa and more recently attended the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield. He is survived by four children, Julie (Rodney) Jackson of Somerset, Virginia, Rowene (Alan) White of Bloomfield, Richard Wilcox of Bloomfield, Colleen (Glenn) Reph of Seattle, Washington; nine grandchildren, Jeremy (Rachael) Wilcox, Tim (Lindsay) Reph, Wendy (Adrian) Popa, Jessica (Donny) Strand, Rachel (Phil) Goodman, Michael (Abby) Reph, Meghan (Sean) O’Neal, Dustin (Maggie) Jackson, Mallery (Stephen) Robinson; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Frances “Jr.” (Gladys) Wilcox of Bloomfield; and a sister, Dolores (Virgil) Bunjer of Ankeny, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Elaine. Wendell loved his family, spending time with grandchildren, and traveling around the country to visit them. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with the Coffee Group in Bloomfield. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Matt Froah officiating. Burial will be at the Drakesville Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the First Baptist Children’s Ministries or the Wendell Wilcox Memorial to be used for the Davis County Elementary School Food Program. .