10/02/2007
Dwight Engel Visser was born on Oct. 20, 1947, in Oskaloosa. He was the son of Betty
Jane Thomas and Engle Henry “Babe” Visser.
Dwight grew up in Harvey and attended
the Harvey and Knoxville Schools. Dwight joined the US Navy on July 26, 1967.
He served
on the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Barrington in Vietnam. During Dwight’s four years
of duty, he earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. On Dec. 3, 1989, Dwight
married Merribell Sue Anderson.
For over 20 years Dwight ran his own landscaping business in the Knoxville area.
He was instrumental in developing the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden at the Knoxville
Area Community Hospital.
Dwight was always interested in nutrition and his personal health. He was an Herbalife
Dealer for over 24 years. For the past eight years, Dwight worked at Home Depot
in Naples, Fla., and Des Moines in the landscaping department. Dwight loved his 1982,
white Corvette which he purchased new and still had.
During the last few years, Dwight spent much of his spare time watching football
and NASCAR races. Dwight was a man who appreciated all the simple aspects of nature;
walking on the beach or through the woods, watching the sun rise or set. Dwight
took great interest in his family especially his son, Chad, and the grandchildren.
Dwight Visser passed away on Oct. 2, 2007, at his home in Knoxville at the age of
59.
He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Merribell Visser of Knoxville; three sons,
Chad and Vicki Visser of Oskaloosa, Chris Sage of Knoxville, and Shaun Sage of Carlisle;
his mother, Betty Visser of Harvey; nine grandchildren; one sister Linda Visser
of Hot Springs, Ark. one brother, Glen, and Jean Visser of Harvey.
Funeral services were held on Oct. 6 at the Harvey Assembly of God Church with Rev.
Darrell Eichhorn and Pastor Michael Miller officiating.
Interment was in the Breckenridge Cemetery in rural Marion County.
Military honors were provided by US Navy Casualty Assistance Corp, Baty-Tucker
American Legion Post #168 and John Myers VFW Post # 3519.
Memorials in memory of Mr. Visser may be given to his family. Online condolence
messages may be sent to the family.