Wayne L. Koontz
Wayne L. Koontz
Wayne L. Koontz
March 31, 1933 – January 16, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 80
Wayne Koontz, 80, of Oskaloosa, and formerly of Martinsburg, Iowa, passed away Thursday morning, January 16, 2013, at his home in Oskaloosa.
Wayne L. Koontz, son of Clyde L. and Edna (Whaley) Koontz, was born March 31, 1933, in Elwren, Indiana.
Wayne was a 1950 graduate of Elwren High School, and at just seventeen years old he joined the Navy. Wayne served for more than 20 years from 1950 to 1970, serving as a Seabee in a construction battalion, in Korea and Vietnam. Wayne was discharged November 9, 1970 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He remained in that area for a time before moving to central Illinois, where he eventually settled in Pekin.
While living in Pekin, Wayne worked for the school system as a custodian and a bus driver. He also worked in small engine repair. Through that job he met and then married Geraldine Kay Mangold on November 14, 1975. They eventually moved to South Pekin, IL where Wayne again served as a custodian and bus driver. In 1989, the family moved to Martinsburg, Wayne worked part-time for the Cedar Creek Golf Course as a greens keeper and then got a full time position as a fork lift operator with Hackert’s Wood Products in Richland. Wayne retired in 1998.
Wayne enjoyed the peace and beauty of the great outdoors, especially mushroom hunting in the spring. He also enjoyed watching football and he was happiest when he had his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren near.
Wayne’s family includes his son and daughter-in-law: Raymond and Rebeckha Koontz of Oskaloosa and his daughter, Josette Wabasha of Beacon; his grandchildren: Danielle Darrah (Michael Sutherland) of Fairfield, Karri Jo Wabasha of Sigourney, Luke Darrah (Lanie Birlson) of Oskaloosa, Miranda Darrah (Kyle Thomas) of Beacon, Draven Wabasha of Beacon and Tessa Jo Puffinbarger of Kirksville; his great granddaughters: Immoria Gonzalez and Kami Lynn Thomas; and his siblings: Isabelle, Laurense, Norma Jo, Keith, Howard, Bonnie and Karen.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Gerri, on October 21, 2010, Wayne was preceded in death by his siblings: Winfred, Esther and James.
Memorial services for Wayne will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alvern Boetsma of the Good News Chapel officiating.
As was his wish, his body has been cremated.
Military Honors will be provided by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
A memorial has been established in his name and should be made to Raymond Koontz.
