grave import

Obituary

Jack Carl Voelker, 83, of Burlington, died at 6:58 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 2008, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Born June 13, 1924, in Burlington, he was the son of Carl Edward and Edna C. Robbins Voelker. He married Geraldine Wunnenberg in 1950. They divorced in 1975. On January 2, 1978, he married Marjorie Gahn in Las Vegas. Mr. Voelker retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1968, with the rank of lieutenant colonel after more than 25 years in the service. He then returned to Burlington and worked for Remmers-Tomkins Flight Service as an instructor and charter pilot. In 1969, he set up the flight department for Winegard Antenna Co. and remained chief pilot until his retirement in 1988. He was a 1942 graduate of Burlington High School. He then enlisted in the Army Air Force. He trained as a fighter pilot, then was a flight instructor. He served as a flight instructor at Waco AAF, Texas, and taught new cadets until late 1944, when he was reassigned to multi-engine training. He then served with the 380th Bomb Group (heavy) -- 531st Squadron. He flew bomb missions from Okinawa. Following the surrender, he remained in Japan for several months, flying as a courier pilot. He remained in the Air Force Reserve and was recalled to active duty in late 1950. In 1952, he volunteered for service in Korea. He completed more than 110 combat missions. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Air Force and Army Commendation medals. He enjoyed his family, flying, the Mississippi River and the town of Burlington. He owned a number of boats. He loved taking people out on the river and telling them about its history. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Christine Tippin of Boise, Idaho; one son, Craig Voelker of Mount Pleasant; two stepdaughters, Karen Glasgow of Burlington and Kristine Niehause of Peachtree City, GA; three stepsons, Kyle Gahn of Burlington, Craig Gahn of Cantril, and David Gahn of Minneapolis; eight grandchildren; five great-grand- children; two sisters, Donna Lavine and Marion MacDonald, both of Burlinton; and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister in infancy. The family will greet friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in Prugh's Chapel. The memorial service for Mr. Voelker will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethany Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Carl Engstrom officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites. Memorials have been established for Hope Haven Area Development Center and Bethany Lutheran Church.