Wilwerding, Robert ("Bob") James (1944 - 2024)

WILWERDING, YOST, MUNCHRATH, FORTEY, TUNINK, GROTE

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/15/2024 at 19:41:21

Name of deceased: Robert "Bob" James Wilwerding

Aged: 80 yrs, 4 mo, 29 days

Residence: Defiance, Shelby County, IA

Born: Jan. 17, 1944; Melrose Park, Cook County, IL

Died: June 15, 2024; Omaha, Douglas County, NE

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, June 19, 2024; St. Peter's Catholic Church, Defiance, IA; burial was in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Defiance, IA

Survived by: Wife of 56 years, Luella Wilwerding of Defiance, IA; children, Diane (spouse, Andy) Yost of Logan, IA, and David (spouse, Janet) Wilwerding of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Shelby Yost, Austin Yost, Caroline Wilwerding, and Ryan Wilwerding; siblings, Joan (spouse, Dick) Munchrath of Omaha, NE, Alan (spouse, Kathy) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA, and Mary Lou (spouse, Fred) Fortey of Monument, CO; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Aloysius and Philomena (nee Tunink) Wilwerding

Education: Attended St. Paul's Catholic School, Defiance, IA and graduated with the Class of 1962

Religious affiliation: Was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Defiance, IA, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Luella Grote; March 23, 1968; St. John's Catholic Church, Arcadia, IA

Employment: After graduation from high school, Bob moved to Wall Lake, IA, and was a lineman for the Illinois Central Railroad. After being injured on the job, he became a salesman for Orkin Pest Control. In 1978, Bob and Luella bought the Defiance (IA) Hardware Store and relocated to Defiance. They operated the hardware store until 1991, when it was destroyed by a fire. After that, Bob operated Bob's Appliance & Repair and Bob's Pest Control until he retired. Additionally, Bob worked for more than 20 years as an EMT at Medivac Ambulance in Harlan, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: Was a 42-year volunteer with the Defiance (IA) Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT and firefighter; for many of those years, he was also the treasurer for the fire department; was a regular blood donor, donating more than 17 gallons of blood over the years.

Sources: pauleyjones.com