William Eilers

William (Bill) Christoffer Eilers. 78, a longtime resident of Atlantic, passed away early Friday morning, June 13, 2003, at his home in Grove City. Bill was born September, 13th 1924 in East Griesia, Germany at the Ofriesland to Wilhelm and Almut Christoffer (Kampmann) Eilers. His family immigrated to Iowa in 1925 and he helped his family farm until entering the U.S. Marine Corp in 1944. He served in the Marine Corp as a gunnery sergeant in WWII and was stationed in Okinawa and Korea. Bill spent 24 years in the military until his retirement, July 31, 1968. On February 6, 1965, he was united in marriage to Roberta Laura Kipp in the Marine Depot Chapel in San Diego, CA. He then became a security guard at the San Diego Zoo and was employed there for 19 years retiring in February of 1988. After retiring, Bill and Roberta moved to Atlantic, IA from San Diego, CA where he enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and animals. He took great pride in the care of his beautiful lawn and riding his tractor. Bill loved watching the growth of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known to them as "Papa&". He was famous for his annual Easter egg hunts.Bill is survived by his wife Roberta of Grove City, 4 children Robert & (Eileen) Evans II of LaCrosse, WI, Byron and (Chris) Evans of El Cajon, CA, Linda Jahnke of Lewis, IA, and Laurie and (Terry) Milner of Hillsboro, WI; 7 grandchildren, Bryon and Liz Evans of Tooele, UT, Christopher and Keri Jahnke of Griswold, IA, Amie & Brent Potter of Griswold, IA, Tammie and Brad Madsen of Kimballton, IA, Jeremy and Cindi Jahnke of Omaha, NE, Elizabeth Escutia of Arcata, CA and Michael and Angie Escutia of Elroy, WI; 13 great-grandchildren, Eric, Neil, Kody, Cam, Colby, Jordan, Chase, Logan, Tanner, Jadon, Madison, Makenna and Cade; 1 great-great-grandchild, Amber; 2 brothers, Edward and Georgia Eilers of Clarksville, IA. and George and Betty Eilers of Webster City, IA; 5 sisters, Gesina and Henry Jungling of Appleton, IA, Grace Arends of Janesville, IA, Alma and Lester Bittenga of Clarksville, IA, Margarita March of Olwein, IA and Adeline and Alfred Johnson off Allison, IA; 1 sister-in-law Barbara Eilers of Allison, IA; 1 brother-in-law Charles and Pat Kipp of Palm Desert, CA and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm amd Almut Eilers; a brother Chris Eilers; 3 brothers-in-law, Raymond March, Edward Arends and Grant Feldmann; 2 sons-in-law, Cesar Escutia and Ronald Jahnke. Roland Funeral Service Atlantic, IowaFuneral InformationServices for Bill will be held Friday morning, June 20, at 11:00 A.M. at the Roland Funeral Home with a visitation from 7 - 8 P.M. Thursday evening. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis, Iowa.