Eugene John "Gene" Wilson, 95 of Dubuque, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, September 1, 2014 at home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 4, 2014 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with the Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post #6 of Dubuque. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Gene was born on September 22, 1918 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Edward John and JoHannah (Ryan) Wilson, the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Creighton Prep School in 1936. Gene was a WWII veteran having served in the United States Navy as Chief Petty Officer from 1942 to 1945. On December 30, 1942, he married Portia Lorraine King of Davenport, Iowa in Cape Charles Virginia.
Gene was an automobile dealer for 58 years in Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport, Iowa and Dubuque Iowa. He was the Dodge dealer in Dubuque for 49 years, retiring in 2005 as president of Wilson Brothers Dodge. The business is now being carried on by his grandson, Patrick Turpin as Turpin Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram. Gene served for many years on the Dodge Dealer Advertising Council.
Gene is survived by his 5 children Mike (Julie) Wilson of Dubuque, JoAnn (Marion) Turpin of Geneseo, IL, John (Rosean) Wilson and Peggy (Jim) Nesler, both of Dubuque, and Mary (Rob) Cohn of Greenfield, Mass; 13 grandchildren, Christopher Wilson of East Dubuque, IL, Sam Wilson of Dubuque, Tim (Lori) Turpin of Geneseo, IL, Julia (Ken) Koehler of Portland, OR, Patrick (Nicole) Turpin of Dubuque, Elizabeth (Andrew) Wanic of Naperville, IL, Brad (Sara) Wilson of East Dubuque, IL, Alex Wilson of Dubuque, Dr. James (MaryLynn) Nesler of LaCrosse, WI, Dr. Sara (Billy) Nesler Schaefer of Dubuque, Benjamin (Shiori) Nesler, of Park City, Utah, Simon and Parker Cohn both of Denver CO.; also surviving are 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lorraine; his 7 siblings; and his daughter-in-law, Ruth Polfer Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque.
The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Rd. is in charge of arrangements.