David 'Dave' Wilkerson

DAVID EVERETT "DAVE" WILKERSON

Coralville

David Everett "Dave" Wilkerson, 81, of Coralville, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Lantern Park Specialty Care, Coralville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Coralville. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the church with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Coralville, with military rights provided by the Coralville American Legion, assisted by other local military organizations. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dave Wilkerson memorial fund.

Dave was born Jan. 26, 1937, in Austin, Minn., the son of Wesley and Amanda (Bean) Wilkerson. He later moved to Mason City and attended schools there, participating in swimming and wrestling. When his family moved to Clinton, he joined the Marine Corps and served from 1954 to 1958.

Dave was united in marriage to Janice Leonard on Aug. 1, 1959 at St. Mary's Church in Clinton. After having their son, Michael, they moved to Austin, Minn., for several years and moved back to Coralville in 1970. Dave was a printer at ECI and later a groundskeeper for the Iowa City VA Health Care System for 19 years, retiring in 1994. Dave was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and past member of Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Coralville Planning and Zoning, volunteer fire department for 10 years, part-time police officer and the first part-time juvenile officer. Dave was a past president and lieutenant governor of the Morning Optimists. He was a past post commander, adjutant commander, county commander, district commander, state vice commander, and state historian for the American Legion. Dave and Jan traveled to many states when Dave was the Department of Iowa historian for the Legion. He had many great friends from around the world, marching in the National Legion Parade at Legion conventions. He served on the selection committee for the Veterans Trail. After retirement, he worked for the Coralville Hy-Vee, where he got the nickname "Candyman," because he always had a sucker for the kids. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, attending their ball games and taking them on vacations.

Dave is survived by his wife, Jan; his son, Michael (Deborah) Wilkerson, of Cedar Falls; two grandsons, Joshua (Danielle) Wilkerson of Cottage Grove, Minn., and Jason (Laura) Wilkerson of Cedar Rapids; seven great-grandchildren, Julian, Maxwell, Cameron, Carter, Carli, Hannah and Benjamin; four siblings, Loran (Mary) Wilkerson of Lowmare, Freda Hedrick of Mason City, Margie Booth of Manley and Alberta Wilkerson of Mason City; and many extended family and close friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Wesley Wilkerson, John Wilkerson, Camilla True and LaDonna Wilkerson.

The family would like to thank the VA for all their wonderful help. Also, the staff at Lantern Park and their hospice nurse, Larry of Comfort Care Givers for all their great care.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.