Obituary for Leon Wilkinson
Wilton Leon Wilkinson, 91, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on March 25, 2024 at the Bloomfield Care Center. He was born on October 3, 1932 near Troy, Iowa to Everett Harold and Reva Marie Padget Wilkinson. He graduated from Troy High School in 1950. After high school, Leon farmed with his father and worked at John Morrell until entering the Army in 1953. He served two years of which 16 months was in Korea. He met his wife, Judith Pearson, after returning from service. They were married on September 24, 1955 in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Leon worked for John Morrell until he started college at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College on the G.I. Bill. He graduated in May 1959 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in Math and minoring in Physical Education, English, and History. He taught and coached for two years in Russell, Iowa before taking a job in Lineville, Iowa where he also taught and coached. While teaching in Lineville, he was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship to attend graduate classes at Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma. He accepted the honor and spent three summers taking classes in Oklahoma, moving his family with him every summer. He graduated with a Master’s of Teaching in Arts and Math in 1966.
Leon started teaching for Davis County Community Schools in 1966. He took additional courses and was certified in Education Administration. He became vice principal for Davis County in 1967. After three years, he took a principal position in Redfield, Iowa where he worked for two years before missing Davis County and moving back. At Davis County he was vice principal and athletic director for many years, retiring in 1992.
After retirement, Leon remained an active member of the community and served on many boards and committees. He was a charter member of the local Optimist Club and has served in several capacities over the years. He was the Iowa Optimist District Governor, served on several state committees and was appointed to the International Committee. He served on two Citizen Boards in the 8th Judicial District, was Chair of the local Foster Care Review where he received the Governor Volunteer Award and received the Volunteer of the Year award from the 8th Judicial District for involvement in the Youth Offenders Program. He had served as Chair of the Bloomfield Historic Preservation Commission, been a board member for several years with the Davis County Historical Preservation. He was also a member of the Davis County Historical Society, served as Chair for the Iowa Mormon Trails Association, member of the Board of Central Iowa Tourism, was a trustee of the Davis County Hospital, a member of the local AARP chapter serving in several offices, the Airport Commission, and has served on several committees for Main Street in Bloomfield.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Wilkinson; four children, Jeanne (Craig) Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Wilton Leon Wilkinson Jr. of Waukee, Iowa, Janice (Kirk) Bruce of Ames, Iowa, Julia (Gary) White of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Bradon Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Jeremy (Kate Jopson) Bruce of San Fernando, California, Markus (Laura) Bruce of Bondurant, Iowa, Lyndsi (Jon) Antal of Lancaster, Missouri, Tyler (Shelby) White of Ottumwa, Iowa; six great-grandchildren, Leah Bruce, Lucas Bruce, Casen Antal, Chayten Antal, Kaden White, Korbin White; four sisters, Hannah Kirby of Centerville, Iowa, LaDonna Piper of Norwalk, Iowa, Lavenia (Dave) Davis of Des Moines, Iowa, Cindy Knock of Williamsburg, Iowa; and a brother, Loren Wilkinson of Springhill, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Laverda Rupe, Hildred Gordy; and four brothers-in-law, Jack Kirby, Bernard Piper, Ron Knock, and Royce Gordy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rhonda Eakins officiating. Burial with graveside military rites performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Davis County “A” Club, Davis County Dollars for Scholars, Optimist Club, and Good Samaritan Society – Hospice in Ottumwa.
Leon worked for John Morrell until he started college at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College on the G.I. Bill. He graduated in May 1959 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in Math and minoring in Physical Education, English, and History. He taught and coached for two years in Russell, Iowa before taking a job in Lineville, Iowa where he also taught and coached. While teaching in Lineville, he was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship to attend graduate classes at Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma. He accepted the honor and spent three summers taking classes in Oklahoma, moving his family with him every summer. He graduated with a Master’s of Teaching in Arts and Math in 1966.
Leon started teaching for Davis County Community Schools in 1966. He took additional courses and was certified in Education Administration. He became vice principal for Davis County in 1967. After three years, he took a principal position in Redfield, Iowa where he worked for two years before missing Davis County and moving back. At Davis County he was vice principal and athletic director for many years, retiring in 1992.
After retirement, Leon remained an active member of the community and served on many boards and committees. He was a charter member of the local Optimist Club and has served in several capacities over the years. He was the Iowa Optimist District Governor, served on several state committees and was appointed to the International Committee. He served on two Citizen Boards in the 8th Judicial District, was Chair of the local Foster Care Review where he received the Governor Volunteer Award and received the Volunteer of the Year award from the 8th Judicial District for involvement in the Youth Offenders Program. He had served as Chair of the Bloomfield Historic Preservation Commission, been a board member for several years with the Davis County Historical Preservation. He was also a member of the Davis County Historical Society, served as Chair for the Iowa Mormon Trails Association, member of the Board of Central Iowa Tourism, was a trustee of the Davis County Hospital, a member of the local AARP chapter serving in several offices, the Airport Commission, and has served on several committees for Main Street in Bloomfield.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Wilkinson; four children, Jeanne (Craig) Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Wilton Leon Wilkinson Jr. of Waukee, Iowa, Janice (Kirk) Bruce of Ames, Iowa, Julia (Gary) White of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Bradon Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Jeremy (Kate Jopson) Bruce of San Fernando, California, Markus (Laura) Bruce of Bondurant, Iowa, Lyndsi (Jon) Antal of Lancaster, Missouri, Tyler (Shelby) White of Ottumwa, Iowa; six great-grandchildren, Leah Bruce, Lucas Bruce, Casen Antal, Chayten Antal, Kaden White, Korbin White; four sisters, Hannah Kirby of Centerville, Iowa, LaDonna Piper of Norwalk, Iowa, Lavenia (Dave) Davis of Des Moines, Iowa, Cindy Knock of Williamsburg, Iowa; and a brother, Loren Wilkinson of Springhill, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Laverda Rupe, Hildred Gordy; and four brothers-in-law, Jack Kirby, Bernard Piper, Ron Knock, and Royce Gordy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rhonda Eakins officiating. Burial with graveside military rites performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Davis County “A” Club, Davis County Dollars for Scholars, Optimist Club, and Good Samaritan Society – Hospice in Ottumwa.
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