Wilmer Houck

STERLING-Wilmer L. Houck, 94, of Sterling, died, Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Rock River Hospice and Home. Wilmer was born June 21, 1924 in Woosung, the son of John H. and Sadie (Farster) Houck. He was inducted in the United States Army on April 4, 1943 and was discharged December 1945. He served eighteen months in Europe and served in combat with CO A 393 Reg 99th DW, with 93 days of continuous combat. He walked across the Rhine River on the railroad bridge at Remagen while under heavy shelling from the enemy. They were trying to knock the bridge down, which they did about three hours after he got across. He crossed the Danube River under heavy shelling from mortars and artillery. He married Elsie Houck on June 22, 1946 in Rock Falls. She preceded him in death on April 19, 2016. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Falls. Survivors include one daughter, Marilyn (Kent) Stralow of Morrison; two sons, Wilmer J. Houck and Duane Houck, both of Sterling; two sisters, Phyllis Whitenour of Franklin Grove and Cheryl (Vernon) Shettler of Polo; three brothers, Donald Houck of Dixon, Walter Houck of Roscoe and Dennis Houck of Polo; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Julie Houck; granddaughter, Maggie Houck; sisters, Mary White, Darlene Houck, Dorothy Glick, Janet Grygiel, and Patricia Houck and two brothers, Robert Houck and Berwin Houck Funeral service will be at 11 AM Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Falls with Pastor Bree Truax, officiating. Visitation will be from 10AM-11AM one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Burial to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Dixon. A memorial has been established to Rock River Hospice and Home and Rock Falls American Legion. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com