Billy Gene Brubaker, 83

Billy Gene Brubaker, 83, of Eldora, IA, passed away in his home on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

A visitation and funeral mass was held Saturday June 3, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Eldora IA. Memorials will be directed to the family.

Billy was born March 5, 1940, to Harold & Ruth Brubaker. He graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1958. He served in the Army from 1959-1961, in the 1st Infantry Division. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Joan Schreck and they were married in 1962 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grundy Center, IA. Billy and Joan were blessed with 4 children, Wanda, Marilyn, Mary Jane and Susan.

Billy worked for John Deere in Waterloo from 1966-1996 and then retired and became a farmer. He had a cow/calf operation from 1996-2009 and retired a second time.

Billy & Joan lived in Nevada, Reinbeck, Melrose, New Sharon and Eldora, IA, where they have been for the last 2 years. Billy enjoyed traveling and taking trips to visit family and friends, motorcycle rides, piloting his Cessna airplane and driving around in his red 1966 Fury convertible. Some of his favorite things included drinking coffee, Schwan’s ice cream and crossword puzzles. You could often find him tinkering in his shed on his many projects including his prized Toyota. He especially loved spending time with his children, his grandchildren, and their families. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Billy is survived by his 4 children: Wanda (Mike) Christensen, of Dike, Marilyn (Ross) Wendell, of Ankeny, Mary Jane (Ryan) Sharp, of Norwalk, and Susan Brubaker, of Grundy Center.

He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Seth (Bethany) Christensen, Jared (Emily) Christensen, Jacob Wendell, Reece Sharp, Erin (Jack) Leshen, Bailey Sharp, Cody (Dalia) Monaghan, Tayvian, Chloye & Tessya Prime, and 2 great grandchildren, Adrian & Clarke Christensen, and Baby Leshen on the way, as well as his siblings: Yvonne (Don) Hendershot, Leonard (Janet) Brubaker, John (Sharon) Brubaker, Mary (Ralph) Hook, George (Tudy) Brubaker & Eva Dell Clark (Jim).

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Brubaker, his parents, Harold & Ruth Brubaker, his in-laws, Lester & Ursula Schreck, his grandson, Austin Monaghan, his brother, Curtis Brubaker, his brothers-in-law, Robert Clark, Randy Rhoads and sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Schreck & LuAnn Schreck.