Johnnie Wilson

Johnnie Victor Wilson, one of nine children of Mabel (Leonard) and Martin Leander Wilson, was born in Trail, Oklahoma near Leedy on August 21, 1924. Following the great dust bowl, Johnnie's family moved by covered wagon to Iowa and settled near Glenwood. Johnnie grew up in Glenwood and graduated from the Glenwood High School in 1942. Following school, Johnnie joined the U.S. Army, serving as a Mortar Gunner during WWII, and later in Japan on occupation duty.
Following the war Johnnie retuned to Council Bluffs, IA where his father taught him to shoe horses. Johnnie traveled to Kentucky as a farrier. It was here he met Eva Ruth Powell. The couple eventually settled in Columbus, Ohio where they were married. Johnnie and Eva had been married 22 years when Eva died in 1976. Johnnie continued to live in Columbus, working with horses and training dogs for National Field Trials. His work earned him national recognition as he was the only farrier to be inducted into the Harness Horse Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York. Upon his retirement, Johnnie's special friend and apprentice Eric Wilt took over his blacksmith business.
Johnnie returned to Southwest Iowa in 1997 and purchased a home in Sidney. His heart however remained in Glenwood, where he spent many of his days. Johnnie was a member of the First Christian Church in Glenwood, enjoyed visits with the guys during coffee, and spending time with his good friend Barb Sawyer.
Johnnie died at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha on October 12, 2004, having attained the age of 80 years, 1 month, and 21 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eva Wilson, brothers Cliff Wilson, Claud Wilson, and Jake Wilson. He is survived by his daughter Jacke McAlkich and her husband Frank of Mt. Sterling, OH; brothers Ed Wilson of Watkins, CO, and Fred Wilson and his wife Wanda of Ricketts, IA; sisters Elizabeth Roberson of Red Oak, IA, Pauline Helms of Galesburg, IL, and Anita Stogdill of Council Bluffs, IA; granddaughter Tiffani Friend, her husband Scot and their son Cody of Powell, OH; grandson Jason McAlkich of Mt. Sterling, OH; special friend Barbara Sawyer of Glenwood; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.