Steve Wilson, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.
Steven David Wilson was born March 12, 1948 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Robert O. and Janet Ruth (Miller) Wilson.
Steve graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School as a member of the Class of 1966. He furthered his education by graduating from Kirkwood Community College and receiving his BA degree from Iowa Wesleyan College.
On July 9, 1966 at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Steve was united in marriage to Joy Bernice Jacobs.
Steve was the Environmental Safety and Health Manager for the former Motorola Corporation of Mt. Pleasant.
Those thankful for sharing in Steve’s life include his wife of 59 years, Joy of Mt. Pleasant; 4 children – Brent (Terri Quartucci) Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, Heather (Brian) Richenberger of St. Louis, MO, Tawny Wilson of New London, IA and Flint (Sarah) Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; a brother – Barry (Linda) Wilson of Cedar Rapids, IA; a sister – Karen Chapman of Noblesville, IN; 9 grandchildren – Riggs (Dr. Sarah VanDeWalle) Wilson, Casey (Skylar) Miller, Adam (Leslie) Richenberger, Sean Richenberger, Keira McBeth, Jarrett Wilson, Sydni Wilson, Victoria Wilson and Gabrielle Wilson, and Steve’s father Bob’s wife, Dr. Dolores “D.P.” Wilson of Mt. Pleasant.
Steve’s parents precede him in death.
Steve and Joy were very active members of their community. Steve helped start the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market as a way to sell his honey he raised. Steve and Joy received the Motorola Volunteerism Award for their work of establishing Teen Court in Henry County in 1992. Steve was well known in the community for his enthusiastic presentations on the value of wetlands and wildlife, many of which he gave to local school children in the Southeast Iowa area. Steve and Joy were instrumental in assisting with the re-introduction of trumpeter swans to Iowa. Animals played a huge part in their lives, loving horses, dogs, cats, and always helping injured wildlife. Steve also was passionate about studying and monitoring trees. He volunteered for Trees Forever and received an award for planting hundreds of trees around Mt. Pleasant and cemeteries. Steve was a deeply spiritual person, constantly writing about his faith and the mutualistic relationship to nature.
A private Celebration of Life will be held by Steve’s family at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant.
Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
(“Trumpeter Swan” photo by John Gaines/The Hawk Eye, photo scan courtesy of the Burlington Public Library.)
