Entrepreneur at heart

Former Blair resident Gerald G. Wion, 82, of Lamoni, Iowa, died Nov. 3, 2011, at Israel Family Hospice in Ames, Iowa.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at the Lamoni United Methodist Church. Luncheon at the church will follow the service. Burial of his ashes and a graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17 at the Blair Cemetery.

Gerald Garland "Jerry" Wion was born Dec. 31, 1928, in Davis City, Iowa, to Fred and Byrdie Opal (Akers) Wion. He grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and quickly learned the value of hard work; at age 15, he took his first job off the farm as a welder's helper for Great Lakes Pipeline.

He was naturally outgoing, and an entrepreneur at heart. Many of his work activities were related to the trucking industry. He started with one truck hauling machinery in the Carolinas. For many years, he was affiliated with Midwest Coast Trucking, working out of Omaha. He established his own trucking firm, F and P Corporation in Omaha, and built it to an operation with more than 100 trucks on the road. In 1988, he established a trucking school in Lamoni, the Driving Academy.

He was also involved in other diverse endeavors. For several years, he owned and operated "My Apartment," an Omaha lounge. During the ‘50s and ‘60s, he owned a custom combining operation which followed the wheat harvest from Oklahoma to Canada. As a clothing sales representative in the ‘60s and ‘70s, he combined the advantages of new cell phone technology and a recreational vehicle to enhance his business. He modified the RV to hold racks of clothing, then hit the road and called ahead to invite his various commercial clients to join him in the RV for a cup of coffee, lively conversation, and a chance to inspect and order the latest in clothing fashions for the coming year.

He married Marymaude Bedford Hanson of Blair in June 1988; they made their home in Blair until she died in 1996.

In his long and active life, he made many friends who will miss his loyalty, sharp sense of humor, helpfulness, and engaging conversations on a wide range of issues. Generous and big-hearted, he frequently helped others. He followed and supported Lamoni High School sports teams. When he learned the football team did not have pre-game meals, Jerry sponsored team meals that were wonderfully prepared and served by women from the United Methodist Church for about 10 seasons.

He is survived by a sister, Margaret Peters, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and a brother and sister-in-law, William and Geri Wion of Tucson, Ariz.; three stepchildren; sisters-in-law Bernita and Leon Wion and Nancy Wion of Independence, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Peggy Wion; stepchild, Cooper Hanson, as well as brothers Myles, Dwight, and Leslie.

Memorials are suggested to the donor's favorite charity, or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni, Iowa.