Donald Wesley Wilcox, son of Frank Wilcox and Alta Barnard Wilcox, was born Aug. 30, 1915, on a farm near Beaver, Iowa, and died at his home in Ever Greene Ridge in Jefferson, Iowa, Nov. 8, 2015, at age of 100 years, two months and eight days.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson, with burial at Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper, Iowa. Rev. Bruce R. Webster of the Church of Christ provided words of comfort.
The pianist was Danille Curtis, and the soloist was Ken Monthei. Hymns selected were “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” Don’s casket bearers were Dennis Pittman, Kevin Pomon, Ken Monthei, Karl Citurs, Daniel Pittman, Kevin Pomon Jr. and Tim Tipton. A lunch was served at Ever Greene Ridge following the burial.
Donald had recently celebrated his 100th birthday, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Donald graduated from Beaver High School.
Donald started farming with a team of horses and continued on with a passion for John Deere Tractors. His love of the farm continued throughout his life. He enjoyed collecting and restoring his tractors, and many enjoyed seeing him driving them in parades for several years. Donald’s farming career moved from the Beaver area to a farm in Franklin Township owned by his aunt, Grace Barnard.
He married Betty Groves Sept. 5, 1946, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were blessed with a daughter, Dianne.
They lived on the same farm near Cooper until they moved into Ever Greene Ridge in Jefferson 14 years ago.
Donald and Dianne had a special bond. She loved being with her father and working alongside him in any way she could. Dianne even loved spreading manure, where she could drive the tractor! Her love of quarter horses was shared by Donald, and he supported her in this endeavor, helping her show her horses.
Donald and Betty were married for 58 years before her death Dec. 10, 2004.
Donald was a talented woodworker, with beautiful projects like the grandfather clock in his home. Donald’s love of his tractors led to his membership in the Two Cylinder Club.
He was a lifelong member of the Cooper United Methodist Church and had been a member of the Elks Lodge in Perry.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; sisters, Eleanor Chinkers and her husband, Mort; granddaughter-in-law, Grace; great-grandchild, Nikki; and two great-great grandchildren, Lily and Amelia Pomon.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Dianne Pomon and husband, Richard, of Pottstown, Penn.; five grandchildren, Kevin Pomon of Downington, Penn., Kyle Pomon of Philadelphia, Penn., Kory Pomon and wife, Danielle, of Taipei, Taiwan, Kristina Pomon (Mrs. Rick Steigerwalt) of Wilmington, N.C., and Kathryn Pomon of Pottstown, Penn.; great grandchildren, Kevin Pomon Jr., Abby Pomon, Felicia Pomon, Korbin Pomon, Brittany Steigerwalt, Richard Steigerwalt Jr., Kaitlynn Steigerwalt, Travis Steigerwalt, Isaac Pomon and Jocelyn Pomon; other relatives; and many friends.
Memorials may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, P.O. Box 253, 403 N. Elm St., Jefferson, IA 50129.
