Connie Jo Wilcox, 60, of Newton, died Monday, July 7, 2025, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Cen-ter. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 18, at First Christian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends after the service with a lunch at the church. Memorials in Connie’s name (checks made to Gerald Wilcox) may be left at the church the day of the service or the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Connie, the daughter of Virgil “Pete” and Dorothy (Halterman) Smool, was born July 19, 1964, in Iowa City. She grew up and attended school in Newton. Dec. 27, 1980, Connie was united in marriage with Gerald “JR” Wilcox in Newton. While her children were young, Connie provided daycare in her home. Later, she was trained as a CNA and CMA and worked at Park Centre. Connie loved the animals she raised on her farm, including goats, horses, and dogs. She was a huge Green Bay Packers fan and loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Connie is survived by her children Erica (Dale) Maston of Killduff, Gerald (Vanessa) Wilcox III of Newton, and Colleen (Jozy) Gillaspie of Newton; her grandchildren Brooke (Miles) Zmolek, Payton Maston, Blake Maston, Xavier Chavez Wells, Logan Wilcox, Allyssa Lepley, Kamiya Lepley, Gavin Lepley, Karson Lepley, Joshua Hefflefinger, and Quentin Gillaspie (Lauren); a great-grandchild Ella; her brother Gary (Janelle) Smool of Huxley; and her two nephews Justin (Kendra) Smool and Jaron (Taylor) Smool and their families.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gerald “JR” Wilcox; and a son Rusty Wilcox.
