Willis Baylark Jr., 88, of Burlington, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. Born Oct. 26, 1936, in Rolling Falls, Miss., he was the son of Willis and Anna Mae Jackson Baylark. On Oct. 20, 1956, he married Naomi Miller in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 2010.
Willis worked in the assembly department at J.I. Case for 20 years.
He was a member of Hope Community Church. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. Willis loved sitting down by the river, going to the Dairy Queen to get ice cream sandwiches and salted nut rolls. Most of all, he loved going to church and, spending time with his family and church family and sitting out on his porch.
Survivors include his children, Randy Baylark of Springfield, Ill., Lonnie Baylark of Cedar Rapids, Anthony (Renee) Baylark of Burlington, Dexter Baylark of Champagne, Ill., Janice Marie Baylark of Burlington, Laverne Tabron of Burlington, Ramona (Danny) Smith of Burlington, Kim Baylark of Burlington, and Rachel Baylark of Burlington; 26 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marguerite Baylark-Liddell of Burlington, Elizabeth, and Denise; two brothers, Fred and Steve; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joseph and Clyde; six sisters, Emma Jean, Darlene, Nancy, Bertha, Rose and ; and one infant son, Kenneth.
Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan, 23, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Mr. Willis Baylark Jr. will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the burial.
A memorial has been established.