Ira R. Dykstra, 80, died Jan. 3, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Janesville with his family by his side.
Ira was born April 11, 1934, in Van Buren County, Michigan, to parents Richard and Martha (Faurote) Dykstra.
He married Loraine Russell on June 20, 1953, in South Haven, Miss. She preceded him in death him on Dec. 25, 2002. He married Darlene Petry on Jan. 6, 2008, in Sharon.
Ira was employed at the Belvidere Chrysler Plant for 30 years as a stock chaser. He also worked on many farms and drove milk truck.
Ira is survived by his wife Darlene; children, Connie Hanrahan, of Fontana, Richard (Davia), of Sharon, Daniel, of Naples, Fla., Lorie (Don) Thurnau, of Sharon, Sheryl (Bill) Pietkauskis, of Sharon, Susan (Mike) Zellmer, of Delavan, Wayne (Koren), of Sharon, Douglas, of Janesville, Dennis (Laura), of Fond du Lac, John (fiance Angie), of Clinton, Randy (Dawn), Fond du Lac, Mary Jo Hamre, of Cottage Grove, Christopher (Jennifer), of Selah, Wash., and “adopted son” Kurt (Jen) Woodrich, of Sharon; a brother, Louis (Sandi) of Myrtle Creek, Ore.; a brother-in-law, Ray (Sandy) Russell, of Grand Junction, Miss.; 39 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; step children Mary (Marvin) Kickbush, of Algoma, Lori Petry, of Green Bay, John Petry, of Milwaukee, and Mark Petry, of Green Leaf; 11 step grandchildren; 12 step great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his very special terrier, Ethan.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Toynton Funeral Home in Sharon. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Sharon United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior’s Project, Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675, or to the Sharon United Methodist Church.
Toynton Funeral Home is assisting the family.
