Willard John Scheckel

Willard John Scheckel lived to farm. It has been said, "you can take the farmer out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the farmer." At the age of 95, Willard passed into the arms of God January 5, 2014 from the Maquoketa Care Center, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Willard was born April 5, 1918 in Bellevue, the son of Peter F. and Justina "Jesse" (Dondlinger) Scheckel. He grew up on a farm near Springbrook, Iowa. Willard attended the Old Springbrook Country School. On November 30, 1944, Willard married Evelyn Christina Rose in Clinton, Iowa. They farmed near Preston, Iowa. Willard and Evelyn celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage. Evelyn passed away January 20, 2002.
Willard had a talent for welding, he was creative and resourceful, often making modifications and improving his farm equipment. Farming was his life from the time he could walk, to the last days of his life. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston, where he served as a long-time usher and also on the building committee when the current Church was built in 1983. Willard also enjoyed playing Euchre, square dancing, and traveling including Colorado, Alaska, and Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Willard will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Jean (Kenny) Kilburg of Bellevue and Geralyn "Geri" (Jeff) Evans of Preston; nine grandchildren, Angela (Brian) Dreifuerst, Gary L. (Betty) Kilburg, Becky (Tim) Giesemann, Scott Kilburg, Kathy (Scott) Weimerskirch, Doug D. Kilburg, Debbie (Mike) Schroeder, Jason (fiancé Jackie) Evans and Cory Evans; ten great grandchildren, one brother, Milton (Arleta) Scheckel of Bellevue; and several nieces and nephews.
Willard is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; a daughter, Diane on September 5, 1953; a son, Dennis J. on September 11, 1995; three brothers, Odelo Mathias in 1975, Roy Nicholas in 1987 and Eldon in 1917; and three sisters, Katrenia Scheckel in 1905, Lydena Scheckel in 1915 and Annabelle Elizabeth Frett in 1992. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston with Father Don Hertges as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Preston. Visitation will be held 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston, with a Rosary Service prior at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and visitation will also be held one hour prior to the Mass.