A celebration of life for Larry Wilson, 81, of Melcher-Dallas, will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas. No formal services are planned. Memorials may be made to the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department in Larry’s name.
Larry Wilson was born December 19, 1944, at home in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, the fifth of six children born to George “Jack” and Mary (Beeler) Wilson. Growing up in Melcher-Dallas, Larry and his siblings shared a special bond. They were more than brothers and sisters; they were best friends, and that closeness continued throughout their lives.
From an early age, Larry had a knack for figuring out how things worked. He was fascinated by electronics, especially ham radio, and enjoyed tinkering with just about anything he could get his hands on. He liked restoring bicycles and wasn’t afraid to get creative when something needed fixing. Once, he even borrowed the engine from his go-kart to repair his dad’s lawn mower. The repair worked, although the self-propelled mower ended up moving a little faster than anyone had anticipated. It was the kind of ingenuity and determination that would follow Larry throughout his life.
Larry graduated from Melcher-Dallas High School in 1963 and went on to attend Centerville Community College, earning a degree in Industrial Electronics. During those years, he also spent three summers working at Firestone.
On January 27, 1968, Larry married Linda Patterson, beginning a marriage that would span 52 years. Together they welcomed their daughter, Shelly, who brought them great joy. Larry loved being a dad and later a grandpa, and there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for Shelly or his grandsons, Josh and Ethan. Family always came first.
Larry began his career at Maytag in 1967 and retired in 1997 after 30 years of service. He liked to joke that he had graduated with honors from “Maytag University.” His knowledge of appliances, along with a garage well stocked with spare parts, made him the unofficial Maytag repairman of Melcher-Dallas. If someone had a problem with their washer or dryer, there was a good chance Larry could figure it out. Following retirement, he helped transport veterans from Marion County to medical appointments in Des Moines, something he truly enjoyed and took great pride in doing.
Larry had a deep appreciation for his hometown and the people who lived there. He served on the school board, volunteered wherever he was needed, and was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor. He had many lifelong friends in Melcher-Dallas, and his garage became a favorite gathering place. Whether they were working on a project, solving the world’s problems, or simply sharing stories, there was always good company and something to talk about.
Larry and Linda also enjoyed getting away together. They especially liked weekend road trips to Galena and Eureka Springs, taking in the beautiful fall colors along the way. Other times, they were just as happy packing a picnic and heading to the lake to enjoy the view. It wasn’t necessarily about where they went, but the time they spent together.
Larry was a man who enjoyed the simple things in life: his family, good friends, a project to work on, and the community he had always called home. He was someone people could count on, whether they needed a repair, a helping hand, or just a friendly visit. He leaves behind many good memories and a lifetime of friendships.
Larry will be greatly missed by his daughter, Shelly (Ron) Schulte; grandsons, Josh (Genevieve) and Ethan; brothers, Jim (Sharon) Wilson and Ron (Kathy) Wilson; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Linda Wilson, in 2020; parents, Jack and Mary Wilson; and siblings, Helen (Willard) Dennison, Marvin (Martha) Wilson, and Raymond (Judy) Wilson.
