Elroy Wingers, age 89, of the Woodlands Creek Senior Living Center, Clive, IA., died on April 7th, 2021 from complications of heart failure. He was the son of John and Lioba Wingers of Marytown, WI., his place of birth. He graduated Cum Laude from Fond du Lac Junior College in June 1951. He married Lillian Florez in 1953.
While a member of the Wisconsin National Guard he joined the US 5th Army in 1953, was promoted to Sergeant, and honorably discharged in 1955. The recommendation for promotion issued by the Chief of the Military Division of Engineering section states: “Corporal Wingers is outstanding in military appearance and courtesy at all times. The quality and quantity of Corporal Wingers’ work is far superior to the grade in which he serves. His devotion to duty, initiative, and aggressive approach to all assigned tasks made an outstanding contribution to the effective operation of the division. Recommended as “Soldier of the Week” based on his military performance quality, he was also of unquestionable loyalty.
Roy was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for service during the Korean Conflict.
In 1955, he joined the Burroughs Corporation in Green Bay, WI. And was promoted to Zone Sales Manager in Waterloo, IA. In 1974, he joined Bank Building Corporation and in 1995 was appointed Midwest Region Vice President for the same company under new ownership now known as New Ground Resources where he was later assigned Division Vice President. In 2007, he was awarded for Outstanding Achievement in Building Relationships. Roy calls it “my Lombardi Trophy.”
He was an active member of the Optimist Club and held the position of President in Green Bay, WI and Waterloo, IA.
He played numerous musical instruments throughout his life and while in his 80s, he was a member of the New Horizon Band that gave multiple concerts at Senior Living Centers and area Festivals.
Roy served as Vice President and President of the Board of Directors at Camelot West in West Des Moines, IA where he resided from 1998 to 2012. He married Lo Rena Hart in 2000.
He enjoyed living at the Woodlands Creek Senior Living Center. He was the weekly bingo call on Wednesday and Thursday and provided prizes for the Wednesday bingo.
He was a loyal member of the West Des Moines Elks Lodge #2752 and a benefactor of the Elks National Foundation.
Roy was preceded in death by his father John Wingers in 1978, his mother Lioba Wingers in 1994, and his sister Lorelda Wingers in 1939. His loving Wife Lori died November 27th, 2010. He is survived by two sisters, Georgine Wingers (Casement) of Bemidji, MN, Lucina Wingers (Michels) of Bloomington, IL and four children, Sheila Wingers (Jewell) of Kansas City, MO, Lauren Wingers (Coffman) of Cedar Falls, IA, Cameron Wingers of Woodland Park, CO, and Bradley Wingers of Long Beach, CA, three grandsons John and Raymond Jewell, and Ryan Wingers, one great granddaughter Sarah Wingers, including many nephews and nieces, stepchildren, grand stepchildren, and great grand stepchildren. Roy was always very proud of the accomplishments of his four children and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel and Mortuary located on 19th and Ashworth in Des Moines, IA Sunday, April 11th, 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, rosary 7:30 pm -8:00 pm, and funeral services at St Theresa’s Catholic Church located on 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA Monday, April 12th, 9:00 am. A private interment will be at McLaren’s Mausoleum at the conclusion of the funeral service. Memorials may be made to the Elks Lodge #2752.
