Wilbur R. Swindler

Wilbur R. Swindler, 94, of Ottumwa, died at 5 a.m. August 11, 2018 at Vista Woods Care Center. He was born September 4, 1923 in Downing, MO to Clyde and Mattie Pearl Burton Swindler. He married Dorothy P. Jones on June 20, 1942. She preceded him in death in 1996.

Wilbur moved to Des Moines in 1941 and lived there until 1997 when he moved to Ottumwa. He bought the Walnut Tire and Battery Co. in 1962 and the Harold Robbins Auto Air Conditioning Co. in 1968. In early 1970, he bought two buildings in downtown Des Moines and moved both businesses, running the corporation until his retirement in 1991.

Wilbur served in the U.S Army during World War II from March 1943 to February 1945 and for 3 years in the Army Reserves. He served with the 11th Airborne Paratroopers and made 11 parachute jumps. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines and was very proud of the Troopers.

He frequented many dance clubs and loved to square dance, belonging to the B Square Dance Club and Bootscooters of Ottumwa and the Shirts and Skirts in Riverside, IA.

Wilbur was a member of Davis Street Christian Church, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #114, and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by a daughter, Donna Halfhill of Des Moines; six grandchildren, Chaden, Corey and Michele Halfhill, Jason Swindler, Piper Marquis, Jennifer Berdovich; twelve great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Claudia Swindler; many extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Terry Wayne Swindler; four brothers, Robert, Jim, John and Joe Dean Swindler; four sisters, Icle Wetzel, Viva Cuddy, Inez Bowling and twin sister, Wilma Fay Flynn.

Visitation will be open at 10 a.m. Tuesday August 14, 2018 at Reece Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Davis Street Christian Church with Rev. James H. Wakelin officiating. The family will be present one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Following the service, his body will be taken to Des Moines for services on Thursday, August 16th at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., funeral service at 2 p.m., with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or Hospice serving Davis and Wapello Counties.

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