You might know, he lives on Friendly Lane in Ottumwa. How apropos. On his wall is a sign, in the shape of a puzzle piece, that reads: "Live Life, Never Give Up, Smile, Respect Others, Be Positive, Embrace Change, Love Everyone." Ninety-two year old Wilbur Swindler truly does love everyone. If he reads in the Ottumwa Courier where someone's home has been destroyed by fire, he's liable to drive (yes, he still drives) over to see the people, and find out how he can help, whether it's food, clothing, housing or financial.
His modest home is neat as a pin. He does his own house cleaning. He dresses in spiffy slacks, nice shirt and polished shoes. He does his own laundry. Swindler's office, which is in his kitchen, is organized to the nth degree. He does his own cooking. His pens and sticky notes are all lined up in order.
He even has his own obituary written, and funeral arrangements made, right down to who will be the pallbearers, the organist, the music to be played and who will do the singing. Three different calendars on his walls remind him of his appointments, tasks to be done, and activities he’s involved with.
Like dancing with the Bootscooters. At one time, he traveled all over to dance — polkas, two-step, Texas Swing, and square dancing. His favorite place to dance is Polishville, between Lockridge and Brighton. He has also traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, and Kahoka, Mo., dancing with 13 different clubs.
“If I can get a hold of a gal who can follow, you might as well get out of the way, because we’re coming through!”
He also does daily situps and pushups — 200 each, especially if he has a surgery coming up. Wilbur has had both knees replaced.
The picture of health and vitality, it hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Wilbur. A tooth infection led to his neck swelling up, and drain tubes being installed. Then a bout with shingles, that started in one heel, traveled up his leg, then jumped to the other leg. It was complicated because he was also being treated for lymphoma cancer. All-in-all, he was in three different hospitals for a total of two months. But you can’t keep a good man down. He intends to live to be a hundred. My money says he will.
Born in rural Missouri, Wilbur stayed with a teacher so that he could attend high school in Kahoka. He completed the 10th grade, and then traveled to Des Moines to work at the Walnut Tire and Battery Company. He served in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II as a paratrooper making 11 jumps. His troop was preparing for the land invasion of Japan when the war ended. He was with the first soldiers entering Japan to secure the airport for the arrival of generals for the surrender on the USS Missouri. Being from Missouri, Wilbur is proud of that.
He returned to Walnut Tire and Battery following the war, bought it and, always the neat organizer, painted the floor different colors for each stall. He bought another adjoining business and, at one time, owned addresses 1313, 1314 and 1315 on Walnut Street in Des Moines.
Like a restless tiger, if Wilbur awakens in the night and can’t get back to sleep, he will get up, pull out the mat, and do pushups and situps. When he’s done, he might feel so good, he’s “ready to go out and milk the cows!”
Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com.