Obit: Handke, Iyron E. #2 (1934 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Handke, Geisler, Bentley, Gosar, Hales, Maxwell, Langlois, Buirge, Beisner, Zank, Yoder, Shetler, Brice

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/12/2017

Handke, Iyron Elmer, Sr. (9 January 1934 - 2017)

Iyron E. Handke Sr., 83, of Greenwood passed away at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, Tuesday July 4, 2017.

Iyron Elmer Handke was born on Jan. 9, 1934 in the Town of Lynn, to Elmer and Louise (Geisler) Handke. He was raised and received his education in the Lynn area. After completing his education, Iyron went to work with his father as a heavy equipment operator. He was united in marriage to Lorraine M. Bentley Nov. 29, 1953, at the Frist Methodist Church in Charles City, IA. He worked out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 in Wisconsin for 29 years, 28 of those years with Pagel Construction. In 1983, he left Local 139 and worked in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California until 1988. Iyron then worked out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 in California, which he was a member of for 29 years. He retired in 1991 after an accident left him unable to work. After his wife’s death June 9, 1992, he married Donna Gosar at Holy Family Catholic Church Dec. 17, 1994. They resided on her farm in the Town of Eaton, rural Greenwood, until his death.

He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, roses, gardening, collecting toys, ie ... cars, heavy equipment, and tractors, animals, and birdwatching.

He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and was a good-hearted person whom everyone liked.

Iyron is survived by his wife Donna of Greenwood; one son, Iyron Handke Jr. (Eileen Hales) of Plover; five step-children, David Maxwell (Harry Hanlon) of Brookfield, Tony (Cindy) Gosar of Greenwood, Frank (Denise) Gosar of Eugene, OR, John Gosar of Menasha, and Val Gosar of Chili; six grandchildren, Joseph Maxwell, Cindy Langlois, Joshua Gosar (Karly Buirge), Bethany Gosar (Kevin Beisner), Benjamin Gosar, and Gregory Gosar; four great-grandchildren, Donavin, Caiden, Braelynn, and Eva; five siblings Eldon (Donna Mae) Handke of Granton, Laura Lee Zank of Granton, Elmer (Maureen) Handke of Marshfield, Buster (Casey) Handke of Marshfield, and Cheryl Handke of Granton; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Lorraine.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Willard. Rev. Steve Brice officiated, and burial followed in the Town of Lynn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Iyron Handke Jr., Raymond Yoder, Bennie Shetler, Tony Gosar, John Gosar, and Val Gosar. Visitation was held at Holy Family Catholic Church Sunday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the House of the Dove or the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood assisted the family with arrangements.