Paul Wendell Sesker

PAUL WENDELL SESKER

Tipton

Paul Wendell Sesker, 80, of Tipton, passed away Aug. 1, 2017, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, who loved his family dearly. He also was a beloved and selfless teacher and coach for parts of five decades at Tipton High School and Middle School. He also taught and coached in Cylinder, Van Meter and Dows.

He coached boys' and girls' state champions in numerous hurdling events in track, was an offensive guru in football, a huge proponent of both 6-on-6 and 5-on-5 girls' basketball, and an aggressive style coach in baseball. For him, it was always about the athletes, and helping them achieve their goals and dreams. He also taught social studies at the middle school and high school level.

He had a dry, sarcastic wit and sense of humor. One of his lifelong wishes came true last year when his beloved Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

He was born June 3, 1937, in Maxwell, Iowa. He was a 1955 graduate of Maxwell High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959 as a parachute rigger and an airborne paratrooper stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division.

He went on to graduate from Ellsworth Community College and Northwest Missouri State University before embarking on his teaching and coaching career.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, of Tipton, who he married in 1999; his four sons. Brian Sesker of Stanwood, Craig Sesker of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kent Sesker of Cedar Rapids and Aaron Sesker of Pearl City, Ill.; his six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He also is survived by his sister, Shirley Minear of Orlando, Fla.; and his brothers, Wayne Sesker of Forest City and Bruce Sesker of Maxwell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bette Lee Dalton, who he was married to from 1964 to 1997; his parents, Bayard and Lulabelle Sesker; his brothers, Dean and Donald Sesker; and his sister, Karen Harrison.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, with interment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. There will be a reception to follow at St. Mary's Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to pancreatic cancer research.