Robert Wiltse
Robert F. Wiltse, age 89, of Correctionville, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at his home in Correctionville.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church of Correctionville while social distancing.
A private family burial will be held at the Correctionville Cemetery of Correctionville with Pastor Kim Crummer, Pastor Steve Pohlman, and Pastor Sheryl Ashley officiating. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert was born June 27, 1930 in Pisgah, Iowa to Fay L. and Kathryn J. (Steffe) Wiltse, graduting in 1947. He immediately entered into professional baseball, signing a New York Yankee baseball contract as a left-handed pitcher. He remained in baseball until 1955, including a tour with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Morningside College in the spring of 1959 and came to Correctionville as a classroom teacher and high school coach.
He spent 30 years in teaching, retiring from the school in 1988. Deciding to continue working, he took a sales job in Onawa, Iowa with the Hutchinson Chev-Olds agency and remained there until 1996, retiring in February. The remaining years were spent doing woodworking, boating and spending much time in the Iowa Great Lakes.
His favorite activities were ballroom dancing to Big Band music, cruising, wintering in Florida, and spending time with family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge, Sioux City Consistory of Sioux City and the Abu Bekr Shrine. He also was a member of the American Legion, Order of Eastern Star, the Professional Baseball Players of America, and Grace United Methodist Church of Correctionville.
Robert married Bonnie Ruffcorn of Mondamin, Iowa in October 1954. This past fall they celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Survivors include his wife; his daughter Elaine and husband Craig Utesch; his grandchildren, Matthew (Jana) Utesch, Jessica (Cody) Wilson and Nathan Utesch; his great-grandchildren, Cayden, Coulter and Tesla Wilson and Jaylee and Colton Happe; sister, Janice Paper and brother-in-law, Richard Ploeger.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Fay Wiltse, JR; his parents; his sister, Carol Ploeger; and his grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Correctionville EMS, American Legion Mumford Moon Post #79, or Correctionville Health Care Corporation.
