Wilton Blake Webster

Wilton B. Webster, 80 of Devils Lake formerly of Churchs Ferry, ND where he farmed through the years, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Wilton will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Churchs Ferry, on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Richard Budd will officiate and burial will be at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Wilton will be: Garland Sagen, Ray Horne, Glenn Lannoye, Gerald Gilbertson, Ronald Hausmann, John Peyerl, Dwight Noltimier, and Jerry Gillam, representing many lifelong neighbors and friends. Wilton Blake was born on May 25, 1930 at Devils Lake, ND, the son of Daniel “Milton” and Maude May (Wright) Webster. Wilton lived nearly all of his life in the Churchs Ferry area. He graduated from Churchs Ferry High School in 1948 and then attended UND for one year. Wilton entered the United States Air Force in January of 1951 and served his country during the Korean War. He attended the University of Southern California, College of Aeronautics at Santa Maria, California. He was transferred to the Nouasseur Air Base in French Morocco, Africa and served as an F-86 crew chief - aircraft mechanic with the 357th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. After the death of his father, Wilton was discharged in March of 1954 with the rank of Airman First Class. Wilton returned to North Dakota and took over the family farm. Farming would be his life’s passion. Wilton was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Tollefson of rural Devils Lake, ND, on November 20, 1954 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Wilton and Shirley made rural Churchs Ferry their home until moving to Devils Lake in 1998. Wilton was very active in local and community affairs, serving on the Board of Directors of the Devils Lake Junior College Development Board, Ramsey County ASCS, Lake Region Credit Union, Devils Lake Farmers Union Oil Company, Coulee Township Board of Supervisors and Churchs Ferry Men’s Club. Wilton was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Churchs Ferry and a life member of the VFW. Wilton was a voracious reader of a wide variety of books and poetry. He was often called “McGyver” by his family and friends because of his mechanical abilities - Wilton could fix anything. Wilton loved spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed gatherings at the lake, family trips, and playing games of all sorts including whist, cribbage, pinochle, and chess. Wilton is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Shirley; his five children: Kay Lynn and her husband, Lee Sizer of Fargo; Daniel Webster and his wife, Doreen of Penn, ND; Robert Webster and his wife, Lisa of Devils Lake; Craig Webster and his wife, Tari of Omaha, Nebraska; and Paul Webster and his wife, Heidi of Sartell, Minnesota; sixteen grandchildren, Matthew (Jen) Sizer, Lauren Sizer; Danielle Webster, Dana (Evan) Schoenfish, Deanna Webster and Deidra Webster; Tahnee (Kenny) Young, Whitney Webster, and Kellin Jund; Jennifer, Amanda, Nathan and Andrew Webster; Blake, Michael and Luke Webster; four great grandchildren, Brooks Sizer, Karson Herriot, Morgan Young and Dawson Young; his brother, Owen (Annie) Webster of Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews and their families. Wilton was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David Paul Webster, and his sister, June (John) Litzinger.