ROCHESTER - Garland "Skeeter" Dean Wilson, 81, of 1519 Madison St., Rochester, surrounded by his loving family, went to be with our Lord at 3:15 p.m. May 25, 2008, in his residence.
He was born Sept. 8, 1926, in Mendora, Wis., to Robert E. and Salome Anne Wallace Wilson. On July 1, 1951, in the Methodist Church in LaCrosse, he married Barbara J. Pfledderer, who survives.
He lived in Kewanna for more than 50 years before moving to Rochester in August 2005. He was a LaCrosse High School graduate and a farmer.
A World War II U.S. Army veteran, he was drafted during the middle of his senior year. He answered the call of our country and became a proud member of the Army. While stationed in Japan, he received his high school diploma. During his tour of Japan, he served as battery clerk, drove military officials and dignitaries around the base, and was charged with guarding the sugar warehouse.
As a young man, "Skeeter" assisted his dad with the family farming operations in rural LaPorte County. His passion for farming continued throughout his life as he and Barbara settled in the Kewanna area and farmed for more than five decades growing corn, soybeans and wheat. One of their most prominent crops was the popcorn they grew for the Weaver Popcorn Co. Later in life, he assisted the Jana Family Farms with their farming operation. In 1999, he retired from Fulton Industries.
As a fisherman, Skeeter enjoyed fishing for bluegill and bass. He especially enjoyed fishing at the Collins Gravel Pit. He could be seen sitting in his boat as an accomplished multi-tasker, using his casting rod accompanied by twin cane poles flanking each side of his boat. Sometimes he chose to fly-fish instead of cast. When the fish weren't biting, Skeeter relaxed hunting pheasant and quail or trapping muskrat.
Also surviving are three daughters: Laura Ann (and spouse Dennis) Conley, Rochester; Rhonda Lu (and spouse Larry) West, Traverse City, Mich.; and Rebecca Marie Elliot, Rochester; two sons, Jeffery Dean (and spouse Glendon) Wilson, Rochester, and Kenneth Alan Wilson, Warsaw; grandchildren: Brandon (and spouse Brook) Conley; Gretchen (and spouse Brian) Lahrman; Dustin (and spouse Heide) Conley; Adrienne (and spouse Drew) Spangle; Stacy (and spouse Joe) Zmikly; Clarissa, Whitley and Emily Elliott; Amy (and spouse Ray) Widman; Adam (and spouse Nina) Wilson; Aaron (and spouse Stephanie) Wilson; Weston (and spouse Cassie) Wilson; Alan Wilson (and fiance Danielle); and Andrew Wilson; great-grandchildren: Adrienne Kamp; Madelyn and Stella Conley; Nolan, Gavin and Maddox Lahrman; Brylee Elliott; Breidon VanDerwall; Audrey Widman; and Skyla and Caleb Wilson; a brother-in-law, Bill Barden, Anderson; and two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Wilson, Fort Wayne, and Ruth Wilson, South Bend. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles, Harold, Allen and Wallace; four sisters, Mabel Daly, Lucille Barden and two in infancy; and a grandson, Vern Travis West in 1992.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with Pastors Larry Dodge and Leonard Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery with military graveside rites by members of LeRoy Shelton American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to United Ministries Food Pantry, Hope Hospice of Fulton County or First Church of God.
