Lloyd Willoughby

Funeral services for Lloyd Willoughby, 93, of Melcher-Dallas, will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Dallas Cemetery. Family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the World Wildlife Federation or Yellowstone Forever.

Lloyd Willoughby was born May 5, 1932, in Purdy, Iowa, to David and Jude (Dhabalt) Willoughby. He attended Dallas Schools until December of 1949, when he did what a lot of young men of that era did-he joined the Army. He finished his high school diploma while stationed in Berlin and trained in the Signal Corps while serving in Germany. Just over three years later, he came home.

In January of 1953, Lloyd went to a high school basketball game. He left with something much bigger than a final score. That night, he met Jean Mix. A few months later, on May 24, 1953, they were married. Seventy-two years later, they were still side by side, with a family that kept growing and growing around them.

Lloyd worked at the John Deere Ankeny Works from 1958 until 1987. He liked the work. He liked the people. But if we're being honest, he liked retirement even more-38 years of it, to be exact. That said, "retired" didn't mean sitting still. Lloyd was always doing something. Usually mowing. Or blowing snow. Or telling someone else how to mow or blow snow properly. He helped neighbors without hesitation-fixing lawn mowers, quieting squeaks, handling whatever needed attention.

Lloyd could do just about anything, and he definitely had an opinion about everything. His hearing wasn't great, which meant you never quite knew if he didn't hear you…or if he simply decided your opinion didn't need addressing. Oddly enough, his hearing improved dramatically at car dealerships. He loved trading cars and could hear every whispered word when a salesman leaned toward his manager.

He had a servant's heart and an energy that didn't quit. Lloyd cared deeply about his community, his neighborhood, and most of all, his family. He was present-at games, concerts, events of all kinds-for kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He and Jean traveled all over the country, especially enjoying trips west to the mountains. When they stayed closer to home, Red Rock was their spot. Some summers, it felt like they were there forever.

Lloyd passed away suddenly on February 7, 2026.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 72 years, Jean; his children, Lary (Kathy) Willoughby, Craig (Becky) Willoughby, and Tonya Cooper; daughters-in-law, Lynn and Sue; his sister, Julietta Thomas; sisters-in-law, Marge Mix and Shirley Willoughby; 12 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his "adopted family," Frank, Nancy, Emily, Carrie, and their families, along with many relatives, friends, and neighbors who were helped more times than they can count.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Jude Willoughby; his siblings, David "Buzz" Willoughby, Leo "Zeke" Willoughby, and Lucille Lathrop; his sons, Gary & Perry; son-in-law, Dave Cooper; and his grandson, Jon Willoughby.