Wilbur E. Dienst

KEWANEE - Wilbur E. Dienst, 90, of Kewanee, died at 8:00 AM, Sunday, October 11, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 15 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee. Rev. David Schweppe will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 14 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Burial will be in Osceola Grove Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to the Honor Flight or to the Farm Bureau Foundation.

He was born February 28, 1925 in Somonauk, IL, the son of William “Bill” and Amanda (Dolder) Dienst. He married Lois M. Bates on September 29, 1946 in Kewanee. She survives, as do two sons, Rodney (Sharon) Dienst and Wayne (Sandy) Dienst, both of Toulon, a sister, Jeanene (Tom) Coziahr of Yorkville, five grandchildren, Keith, Rick (Liz), Kenneth (Jodi), Will and Wes (Jen), four great grandchildren, Ayden, Connor, Carleigh and Clayton and his special caregiver, Sherry Puskar. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Darlene and three brothers, Fredell, Dale and Carl.

Wilbur attended Somonauk High School. He served his country in the Navy during WWII and was stationed on the LST 740 in the South Pacific. He had worked as a steel worker at J&L Steel Plant in Hennepin from 1968-86. He also farmed in the Osceola area. He also hauled Tumbleson horses to various events. He was member of Zion Lutheran Church, the American Legion and the Stark County Farm Bureau where he had served on its Board. He was involved with the Stark County Fair and 4H and was sheep superintendent at the Sandwich Fair. He enjoyed farming, horses and attending county fairs.

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