Floyd Walter King

Floyd Walter King, 95, was released from this life into his heavenly home on March 15, 2024. Born on Nov. 23, 1928 in Coloma, Wis., to Walter and Martha (Schilling) King, he attended Coloma Grade School and graduated from Coloma High School, then joined the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served from 1950 to 1954. It was while being stationed at Loveland AFB in Colorado that he met Helen Evelyn Schoenberger on a blind date. They were married on June 2, 1952, and a few weeks later Floyd received orders to ship out to Kunsan Air Force Base in Korea, where he served the next two years as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Police with the 8th Bomb Squadron. When Floyd was discharged, he and Helen returned to Wisconsin in 1955, where they would raise four children (Scotty, Brenda, Randy and Becky).

 Floyd was a hard-working man who had many vocations in his lifetime, including driving truck, working as a filling station attendant and mechanic, working with his parents at the family grocery store in Coloma, and as an all-around handyman who performed various jobs of home repair, renovation and concrete work for many folks in the community. But perhaps he is best remembered for his career in the Westfield School District, first as a school bus driver and providing all maintenance at the Coloma Elementary School, then as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Westfield School District, supervising the maintenance of all schools and properties in the district.

Floyd’s association with the kids during his bus driving years led to his involvement in community youth programs like the God Squad (a non-denominational group for teens in the Coloma area), and serving as a Scout leader for Coloma Boy Scout Troop 152.

Floyd’s world revolved around his family and he would do whatever he could to be with, and help out, all of his children and the rest of his extended family. He taught his children to be self-reliant, was always there for them, and shared valuable life lessons. He was always willing to help with various home repair and related projects including building decks and pouring concrete.

In addition to getting together for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Coloma Chicken Chew festival, a much beloved tradition was the annual Easter egg hunt, where family members tried locating his creatively hidden plastic eggs and boxes of Hughes' Home Maid chocolates around his backyard or house using the cryptic clues he would give — and with no guarantee he’d remember where the items were hidden! He had a special bond with his grandson Aaron,and treasured the close relationship he had with Wanda and Bill Niles, as well as visiting with all the other members of Helen's family on their many trips to Colorado.

Upon retirement, Floyd enjoyed woodworking and woodcrafts, starting King’s Crafts making wooden lawn ornaments and other wood decorations for sale. Also in his retirement, he spent many hours putting together scale models, including military airplanes and other vehicles, and vintage cars.

Floyd was a faithful member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Coloma, serving multiple times on the Church Board, as well as taking part in various committees. He was a member of the American Legion, and the Coloma Volunteer Fire Department, and later in life, was an enthusiastic and active member and supporter of the Coloma Area Historical Society.

Floyd loved country and western entertainment, such as classic country singers, reading western novels by Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour, and watching shows like RFD TV. He enjoyed many meals prepared by Sheri Brownlow at the Royal Cafe (Red Hill) in Coloma, and spent many hours with his children and grandchildren. That included lots of trips to Ontario, Canada, to visit and help out daughter Becky and her husband Dave.

Floyd was a resilient man. After the passing of his wife Helen in 1994, taking a tumble down the church steps in 2012, and losing his oldest son Scott to cancer in 2014, he could have retreated from life. Instead Floyd made the best of the situation, going through rehab and living on his own until he made the decision in 2015 to transition from his homestead in Coloma of more than fifty years to Living Oaks Assisted Living in Iola, Wis. He thrived at his new apartment at the Oaks, putting together scale models and making new friends.

During recent months, he endured a number of health issues, but received loving care by Heartland Hospice in addition to Living Oaks staff. The family wishes to thank them for all they’ve done over the years for Floyd, who was treated like one of the family there.

Floyd is survived by: Children Brenda (Dan) Hansen, Randy (Diane) King, and Becky (Dave) Norman, daughter-in-law Marilyn King, grandchildren Rachel Kumferman and Aaron King, great grandchild Maggie Kumferman, and brother Wally (Fern) King. He was preceded in death by: Wife Helen, Son Scott King, and Grandson-in-law Aaron Kumferman.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Monday, March 25, 2024, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coloma. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Lee Hyunmin will officiate, with Aaron King sharing the message of the day. Interment at the Hillside Cemetery in Coloma will follow immediately after the service with military honors.

In remembrance of Floyd and his efforts to preserve our heritage, the family asks that donations be directed toward the Coloma Area Historical Society.