John Wilkes

John Wilkes, age 69, of Waukon died Monday, July 23, 2018 at his home in Waukon.Memorial Service will be at 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2018 at our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA with Father Aaron Junge presiding, burial will be in the church cemetery.There will be visitation after 4:00 p.m. Friday at the church.John Steven Wilkes was born February 5, 1949 to Robert and Emily (DeNoylles) Wilkes at Riceville, IA at the age of four the family moved to Osage, IA and in 1963 to Decorah, IA John graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in Decorah, IA and was in the Army Reserve from 1969- 1974. At the age of fourteen he started going to livestock sales and buying livestock. The Decorah Sales Commission was built by John’s father Robert and together held weekly livestock sales. In 1977 they sold the sale barn and continued buying cattle privately until he retired. John was the fourth generation to be in the livestock business and passed the love of livestock knowledge to his son Steve. On August 26, 1972 he was united in marriage to Charlet Franzen at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA to this union two children were born Michele and Steven. John was a member of the Clarence Bily Post 467 of the American Legion in Spillville. John loved to travel, take ride thru the country side looking at the crops and livestock, going on picnics and being with his grandchildren and family get togethers.John is survived by his wife: Charlet Wilkes, Waukon, IA. Daughter: Michele (David) Mikkelsen, Waukon, IA Son: Steven (Natasha) Wilkes, Waukon, IA. Grandchildren: Alaina, Cara and Hayden Mikkelsen and Brooklyn, Lillianna and Landon Wilkes. Brothers: Richard (Marty) Wilkes, Maple Plain, MN, Robert (Joyce) Wilkes, Cedar Rapids, IA and Thomas (Mary) Wilkes, Decorah, IA. In laws: Allan (Betty) Franzen, Fredericksburg, IA Bonnie (David) Kutz, Waterloo, IA, Janice (David) Bryne, Lawler, IA, Randy (Karen) Franzen, Lawler, IA Cheryl (Gary) Garlick, Mankato, MN, Leon (Lori) Franzen, Fredericksburg, IA, Barb (Rich) Best, Waucoma, IA, Bev (Leo) Dowd, New Hampton, IA. and many nieces and nephews.John was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Emily (DeNoylles) Wilkes, mother and father- in-law: Louis and Arlene (Hageman) Franzen and brother-in-law: Kevin McDermott.