Lloyd David "Newt" Newton
At the age of 73 years young, Lloyd David John Newton passed on Tuesday January 26, 2021 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI, surrounded by his friends and family.
Funeral Mass was held Monday, February 1 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Waukon. Graveside services along with military honors were held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and a future contribution will be made in Newt’s honor.
Dave, or Newt (as his friends called him), was born Saturday, November 8, 1947 at the Old Hospital in Waukon to Lloyd and Helen (Shingledecker) Newton. As a child, he spent much time outdoors, hunting and fishing at every available opportunity.
He attended elementary, junior and senior high school in Waukon. He graduated in the spring of 1965 at the age of 17 and immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps as the Vietnam Conflict was getting into its full swing. He said that “instead of getting drafted, I thought at least if I have the Marine Corps training I’d have a chance of making it out.” And he was correct.
He found himself in boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. There, he earned his Expert Rifleman medal. Shortly after his 18th birthday he was “boots down” in Da Nang, Vietnam, and because of his precise marksmanship he began sniper training. Newt served in Vietnam from 1965-1966 as a member of the prestigious 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, otherwise known as “The Walking Dead”.
Newt climbed the ranks and made Sergeant, and from 1967-1969 he was stationed in Charleston, SC where he was placed on guard duty for the Marine barracks. He carried a top secret security clearance for the protection of atomic weapons. In the following months he coached his fellow Marines on the pistol and rifle ranges at Camp LeJune in Jacksonville, NC. Newt was extremely proud of his prolific Marine Corps service, as are his family and all his friends.
He was highly decorated when we has discharged in 1969. He was awarded two Purple Hearts in the field that he received for injuries sustained in the line of duty. When he returned to northeast Iowa after his honorable discharge, he began working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in the early 1970s. In 1985 he married the love of his life, Rita May Wagner, and together they raised two sons.
Newt was an avid outdoorsman and loved archery, hunting, fishing, boating, trap shooting, riding his Harley, and took pride in his home. He was very interested in military history. He loved animals. Newt also competed in many shooting and archery competitions around the Midwest, where his excellent marksmanship won him rooms of trophies and medals.
He was a member of the Gustave Kerndt VFW Post #5981, Lansing. He was a delightful storyteller and teacher, and taught Hunter’s Education and Concealed Carry classes for many, many people. He also golfed, and had a wonderful circle of friends that played with him for over 25 years.
Newt was fearless. A true patriot who loved the Constitution. His beliefs and morals were deeply rooted and he never apologized for who he was and what he believed in. He was a great friend to many, with a great sense of humor and a heart larger than life. He will be dearly missed by us all.
John 16:33 ‘In this world you will have trouble.’ Newt 1:1 ‘Deal with it.’
He is survived by his wife, Rita; and his sons, Dylan and Levi. He was preceded in death by his parents; two nieces, Katie Rose Weighner and Lilly Pursley; one nephew, Elijah Wagner; and many of his fellow Marines who served beside him in Vietnam.
