Milford Wonderlich
Milford Wonderlich
Milford Wonderlich
May 11, 1926 – February 22, 2014
Fairfield, Iowa | Age 87
Milford Wonderlich, 87, of Ollie passed away February 22, 2014 at Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney, Iowa.
Milford was born May 11, 1926 Northwest of Ollie the son of Jacob L. and Grace Charlotte Rice Wonderlich. He graduated from Ollie Consolidated High School in 1943.
Milford served in the United States Navy and was a Veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific. On March 21, 1948 he was united in marriage to Betty Lou Shy at the Methodist Church in Ottumwa by Dr. Leonard. Following his discharge from the Navy he helped his twin brothers, Robert and Charles, farm then began working for Hoak Construction in Sigourney. He put up light poles for the power company, first digging the post holes then as a lineman until 1951. Milford moved from Dennison to Ollie to farm with his brother-in-law. Milford later rented the farm to Norm Gott in 1983 and continued to help on the farm. In 1988, he moved to Tempe, Arizona and lived there until 2007 when he moved to Fairfield. Milford was a long time farmer, and worked for Farm Bureau Insurance as a salesman and agency manager of Keokuk & Mahaska counties, John Morrell Company in Ottumwa, and retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Milford was a member of the Ollie Baptist Church since June 6, 1946, Grace Community Church in Tempe, Masonic Lodge #230 in Ollie, Pekin Ruritans, KAABA Shrine, Fremont Funeral Chapel Board of Directors, American Legion Post #504 in Richland, and Fairfield Lions Club. Milford was a firm believer in educating his children on the history of our nation and took them on many trips to visit national parks and historic sites across the country.
His family includes his two sons: Dennis Wonderlich of Ollie and Randy (& Debbie) Wonderlich of Des Moines; two daughters: Janis (& Salvatore) Sciarrotta of Wichita, Kansas and Karen (& Mark) Pomeroy of Lincoln, Nebraska; a brother: Jacob “Lee” Wonderlich of Centerville; a sister: Marilyn (& Gordon) Gott of Marion; 6 grandchildren: Travis Coop, Jason and Shawn Wonderlich, Steve, Aaron and Tim Pomeroy; and 8 great grandchildren.
Milford was preceded in death by his wife: Betty Lou Wonderlich on August 9, 2011; his parents; two brothers: Charles and Robert Wonderlich; two sisters-in-law: Norma Gene Wonderlich and Marion Wonderlich; and a nephew: Roger Wonderlich.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. in the Ollie Baptist Church in Ollie with Pastor Frosty Van Voorst and Reverend Carla Nelson officiating.
Burial will be in the Ollie Cemetery Northwest of Ollie. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Richland American Legion Post #504. Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday after 12 noon in the Fremont Funeral Chapel and the family will be present at the funeral chapel Monday from 4 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Ollie Baptist Church or Bill and Jan Kilgore at Mission Aviation Fellowship.
