Willard Eiler

Willard was born January 30, 1918, in Cedar County near Tipton the son of Henry and Edith Willer Eiler. He attended and graduated from Tipton High School in 1936 and was Salutatorian of his class. He then attended Iowa State College in Ames and received his herdsman degree in 1939. Willard was married to June Miller in 1943. They were later divorced. On May 28, 1983, Willard was married to Mildred Rose Odeen. Willard farmed for many years in the Stanwood area and later moved to Rochester Township South of Tipton where he was living at the time of his death. He was a lifetime farmer. He was active in Cedar Township 4-H groups and was the first leader of the Bennett-Inland 4-H club. and was also the first Director of the Iowa Beef Association, and was a Director of the Cedar County Fair Board for many years. Willard was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Tipton. Willard is survived by his wife, Millie Rose Eiler of Tipton; his daughter; Mary June Dies-Wiese & husband, Thomas, of Lowden; sons, James W. Eiler and wife, Kristi of Des Moines, and Donn W. Eiler of Stanwood; step daughters; Sherry Schmidt husband, Ken of Mechanicsville, and Linda Haywood and husband, Steve of Union, Iowa; step sons; Ed Odeen and wife, Schelly of Tipton, and Jeff Odeen and wife, Kerri of Coal City, Illinois; grandchildren Darren and Marsha Dies, Dawn and Jeff Flora, Dana and Adam McPherson, Ethan Eiler and Wyatt Eiler; 6 great grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren; brother, Harold Eiler of Tipton; and sister; Lucille Kirk and husband, Joe of Tipton. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edith, and twin daughters in infancy. A memorial has been established in honor of Willard.