In Memoriam

Obituary for Harlan Wilson, 63

Harlan B. Wilson, age 63 of Marengo passed away, surrounded by his family and friends, on Monday,

April 24, 2023, following a month-long illness.

Born on December 23, 1959, in Zanesville, he was the son of the late John M. Wilson and Gail (Hornbeck) Wilson who survives in Stockport, Ohio. Harlan graduated from Morgan High School in 1978.

He always considered Morgan County his home.

Harlan’s hard work ethic was instilled in him by his father. He was the proud owner of Wilson Tire of Marengo for over 36 years. He was one that always paid his own way, he often mentioned “when you get out of debt….life is easy”.

A tireless worker, he was a simple man, polite, and loyal. He possessed the largest of hearts, was very caring and a true gentle giant. One always knew where one stood with Harlan. He always followed through with his word and taught his family “your word is all that you have”.

An outdoorsman at heart, he was an avid hunter and hunted and fished all over North America. He treasured his time “goin’ down south” to his cabin, where there are walls full of trophy game, which attests to his love for the outdoors. He also enjoyed a passion for antique tractors and tractor shows often selling and trading tractors and parts. His love for John Deere tractors, especially the D models could not be rivaled and he was in the middle of restoring a favorite experimental D.

Harlan loved to mow and was meticulous about his yard. He took pride in keeping everything he owned looking nice. He was the first to lend a helping hand and generous to a fault. He was witty, was gifted in math, and also possessed a sharp memory. He was happiest when working and was proud of his work ethic, but prouder of his children and grandchildren. He met his love of his life, Pam, at The Junction restaurant in Johnsville, OH and married a year later. They enjoyed many travels together and had wonderful adventures.

In addition to his mother, he is also survived by his beloved wife of 36 years Pam (Harris); children: Rachel (Bart) Leist of Galena, OH, Shane (Maryfrances) Krauss of Pointe Vedra, FL, Brandi Engle of Lancaster, OH, Corey Krauss of Marengo, OH; grandchildren: Lauren, Evan, Samuel, Gracie, Annalyse, Harper; sister: Jean Goodnite of McConnelsville, OH, brothers: John (Kim) Wilson and Rusty (Amy) Wilson both of Stockport, OH; his beloved border collie, Chloe; as well as a host of friends who he considered family and “brothers”.

He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law Max Goodnite.

Harlan is certainly one not to be forgotten, using his words “What it is ….is”.

Friends may call Saturday, April 29th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 637 N. St. Rt. 61 at St. Rt. 3, Sunbury, Ohio 43074. On Sunday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m., Harlan’s celebration of life services will be held with Pastor Aaron Beacom officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions should be made to St. Jude Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harlan, please visit our floral store.

 

Obituary for Neil West, 80

Neil L. West, 80, of Bettendorf (Iowa), passed away Monday, December 19, 2022 at his home.

 Funeral services will be 10am, Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St John’s United Methodist Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-6pm Tuesday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline. Burial will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Memorials can be made to The Center (St John’s United Methodist Church), Davenport or Greeneview High School Engineering Lab, Jamestown, Ohio.

Neil was born September 13, 1942, in Springfield, Ohio. He was the only child of Paul H. and Cleo (Little) West. He married Alice Carpenter on August 30, 1964 in Athens, Ohio. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2005. He married Perrine Woller on May 12, 2007, in Moline.

 Neil received a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Ohio University. He was employed at John Deere Technical Center and Harvester Works for 35 years. During that time, he received 13 patents including a device for keeping the radiator clean when operating in very dusty conditions. He was active in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), including chairman of the National Grain Harvesting Committee.

 Neil was elected to the Greeneview High School Wall of Honor; the ASAE Quad City selection Member of the Year and received the Quad City Engineering & Science Council 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

 Neil was able to fix almost anything from a simple leaky faucet to rewiring a vintage pinball machine. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors and equipment and had a large collection of full size and toy tractors and Ag equipment as well as a 1917 Velie touring car. He was a founding member of the Deer Valley Collectors antique tractor club. He was very active in supporting youth activities in the tractor clubs, plus mentoring a high school robotics team. He established and supported the “West Engineering Lab” at his high school alma mater, in Jamestown, Ohio.

Neil was active in his church and he had been on two mission trips to Haiti. He loved traveling and had been to all seven continents and over 60 countries.

Neil was a Founding Member of Classic Green.

 Survivors include wife, Perrine; daughters, Susan (Nigel) Ray, Boone, Iowa, and Sonja West (Rob Fezekas), Athens, Georgia; step-son Fred (Jen) Woller, Rock Island and grandchildren, Mabel and Graham Fezekas.

Obituary for Mark Redding, 77

Mark Elmo Redding, 77, Burlington, passed away at 5:33 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo. He was born July 26, 1945, in Logansport, the son of the late Elmo Marion and Hilda Irene (Milburn) Redding. On June 24, 1989, he married Vickie (Allen) in Bringhurst, and she survives.

Mark was a 1963 graduate of Northwestern High School. He worked at Howard County Equipment facility in Kokomo before serving in the United States Army, obtaining the rank of Private First-Class E-7. Mark was a Desert Storm Veteran. In 2001, he retired from Chrysler Corporation after 30 years of service. If you knew Mark, you knew he was a John Deere fanatic. He enjoyed traveling over the country to various tractor shows. Mark was the founding member of the Carroll County Antique Tractor and Machinery Club. He enjoyed boating, as he and his family went on many houseboat trips. Mark loved being a grandpa to his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Vickie, Mark is survived by his children, Darren Redding, Rocquel (Brian) Cigal, and Rick Flory; grandchildren, Allie Cigal, Riley Cigal, Sydney Flory, Jackson Flory, and Brady Flory; siblings, William (Cheri) Redding, and Rebecca (David) Crosby; and sister-in-law, Doneta Redding.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Benny Redding, and Marion Redding.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am Monday, December 5, 2022, at Stout & Son Funeral Home-Neptune Chapel, 44 Michigan Rd., Burlington, with Pastor Mike Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Burlington Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Burlington American Legion Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family 2 pm to 5 pm Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carroll County Antique Tractor & Machinery Club in Mark’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Obituary for Craig Eldon Trumm, 79

Eldon E. Trumm, 79 of Worthington, Iowa passed away Sunday, September 18, 2022, at home.

Visitation will be held from 3 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville. Visitation will continue at Kramer Funeral Home from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Worthington with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate with Rev. Mark Osterhaus concelbrating.

Eldon was born on April 20, 1943 in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Leo and Coletta (Heid) Trumm. He married Kaye Burger on June 21, 1969 in Worthington, Iowa. Together they farmed and raised their family in Worthington.

Eldon spent over 50 years collecting farm toys, writing “farm toy collecting” books, and manufacturing his own toy tractors and parts. He was known around the world as a contact for farm toy information. He was inducted in the Farm Toy Collectors Hall of Fame.

As a former Mayor of Worthington and successful farmer, Eldon also dedicated his time planting & caring for the cornfield at the Field of Dreams movie site which was produced the summer of 1988. Hollywood knew they chose the right caretaker as unbeknownst, he kicked the producer & director off the field not wanting them to damage the corn “the most important actor in this movie”.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Kaye, children: Tony (Heather) Trumm of Dyersville, Gwen (Randy) Maro of Davenport, Nate (Bethany) Trumm of Dyersville, Nick (Emily) Trumm of Dyersville, grandchildren: Lydia Trumm, Tyler, Leah, and Mitchel Maro, Vivian and Grant Trumm, Greyson, Bodey, and Deagan Trumm, siblings: Donald (Patricia) Trumm of Dubuque, Dorothy (Duane) Gorman of Dubuque, Steve Trumm of Cascade, in-laws: Robert DeShaw, Mary Catherine Trumm, Dave “Crocket” (Linda) Burger, and Marian Burger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Raymond and Marcella Burger-Wolfe, siblings: Paul Trumm, Bernadine DeShaw, LaVern “Barney” Trumm, Mary (Paul) Kluesner, Ernie Trumm, in-laws: Darlene (Merrill “Bud”) Smock, John Burger, Carl “Cub” Burger, and Wilma “Billie” Wolfe.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com. Online condolences and memorials may be sent to Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.