Wilbur Lee Tackaberry, 91, of Litchfield, died on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at his residence.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.
Mr. Tackaberry was born Nov. 24, 1930, in Ottawa, to Archie and Ida (Sadler) Tackaberry. His first marriage was to Alta Marie Anderson; they later divorced and she preceded him in death. He then married Cynthia Sue Raines on Oct. 2, 1976, at the First Baptist Church in White Hall, and she survives.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1948. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Air Force, where he achieved the rank of chief master sergeant prior to his retirement. He also owned and operated Tack’s Video.
Very civic-minded, Mr. Tackaberry was active in the American Legion Post 436 and VFW Post 3912. He was instrumental in the development of the Litchfield Veterans’ Memorial Gardens, and was very involved with local veterans’ needs and concerns.
Additionally, he was active in the Litchfield Moose Lodge and was a founding board member of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. He was also a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
Mr. Tackaberry was a recipient of the Dorothy Kimal Award through the Area Agency of Aging, and was the St. Louis Globe Democrat’s Man of the Year in 1985. He enjoyed playing Santa Claus for several years.
In addition to his wife Cynthia, he is survived by his two sons, Marcus (Madonna) Tackaberry of St. Charles, MO, and Robert Tackaberry of Litchfield; two daughters, Carolyn (Roger) Dieckgrafe of Harvester, MO, and Victoria (David) Bracci of Dardenne Prairie, MO; stepson, Dan Raines of Chester; stepdaughter, Julie Mathews of Veedersburg, IN; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Shirley Hughes of Decatur.
Mr. Tackaberry was preceded in death by his parents; son, William D. Tackaberry; two daughters, Tina Tackaberry in infancy and Jacqueline Fette; three brothers, Staff Sgt. Robert Tackaberry, who was killed in action during World War II in Munich, Germany, Kenneth Tackaberry and James Tackaberry; and four sisters, four-year old Aileen Tackaberry, Hazel Suits, Gladys Towell and Rowena Chamberlin.
Memorials may be directed to the Litchfield Veterans’ Memorial Garden or the Litchfield Museum and Rt. 66 Welcome Center.
To light a candle or sign the online guestbook, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
