Dwight Wanders, 81 of New Sharon passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Pella Regional Health Center. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Interment with military honors will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will begin after 11:00 am Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dwight’s name for the family to determine a memorial later.

Dwight S. Wanders was born April 2, 1931 to Louis and Julia (Brand) Wanders. Dwight attended his first eight years of school at Ellis School # 7 north of New Sharon, then graduating from New Sharon High School in 1950. Dwight was drafted in the United States Army in 1952, where he served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1960. Dwight was united in marriage to Dorothea Newendorp in 1957. To this union six children were born, Julia, Steven, Gary, Laurel, Mary and Marcia. Dwight farmed for several years on their farm south of Barnes City before becoming a custodian at the North Mahaska Schools for 15 years. Dwight enjoyed working at the school and being able to attend basketball games. Dwight in recent years had to wear many colors to cheer on his grandchildren at North Mahaska, Montezuma and Lynnville Sully. He enjoyed spending time with his special son “Buddy”. Dwight was an avid Hawkeye Football fan. He was a member of the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa.

Dwight is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothea; his six children and their families; Julia (Randy) Pitman and their two children, Gina & Joe Eiben and their daughter Maleigh and Brice Pitman; Steven (Lisa) Wanders and their two children, Nathan Wanders and Brandon (Tonya) Wanders and their two daughters, Keira Blanke and Kalynn Wanders; Gary (Lana) Wanders and their four children, Ethan Wanders, Abbie Wanders, Ann Wanders and Amara Wanders; Laurel Wanders; Mary Jo (Tom) Sheets and their four children, Brynna Steele, Carly Steele, Kelsie Sheets and Kiegan Sheets; Marcia (Tim) Rodibaugh and their two children, Mason Rodibaugh and Preston Rodibaugh; his sister, Wanda (Robert) Van De Krol.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Julia Wanders; an infant brother, a brother, Henry Wanders; father and mother-in-law, Walter and Marie Newendorp; a brother-in-law, John Newendorp and a brother and sister-in-law, Beulah and Dormand Arkema.