Wesley William Coonfare

Wesley William Coonfare, 93, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at his residence in Manchester. He was born on March 6, 1925, near Motor Mill in Clayton County, the son of Wesley W. and Lyda (Elder) Coonfare. Following his father’s untimely death, Wesley moved to Dubuque with his mother and attended school there through ninth grade. Later he went to barber school for six months. Beginning at age 15, Wesley lived with his foster parents, Ashley and Nicenah Fergesen, near Masonville.

Wesley entered the United States Navy in 1943, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II until his honorable discharge in 1946. On August 28, 1946, Wesley was united in marriage to Darline J. “Dolly” Prindle at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Oelwein. Two children were born to this union. Wesley sold feed and bred and tested cows. He also worked as a custodian, first at the West Delaware High School and later at the West Delaware Middle School, retiring in 1990.

Wesley was a member of the American Legion Post 512 in Edgewood. He played harmonica and collected model cars and coins. He also enjoyed tinkering in his yard.

Survivors include Wesley’s wife, Dolly Coonfare; two children, Linda Moses of San Francisco, California, and Becky LaVonn Kalmoni of Cedar Rapids; a prior son-in-law, William R. Moses of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Alissa, Sanjai, Jaeson, and Travis; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Edith Cook of Dubuque.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents; his foster parents; a son-in-law, Bourhan Kalmoni; and eight siblings. 

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