J. Darwin Wisehart, 84, of Carthage, passed away at Memorial Hospital at 3:30 P.M. Thursday afternoon at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Darwin was born January 8, 1936, in Ferris, Illinois the son of Glenwood Forest “Jack” and Bonnie Alyene (Murphy) Wisehart.  He learned from his father at the age of 14 the art of bulldozing for land improvement.  Most of his life, including earlier this year, was spent on the seat of his bulldozer building ponds, dry dams, terraces, waterways, fence rows and land clearing.  On September 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Patricia Jean White.  They later divorced.  On June 10, 1995 he was united in marriage to Sandra J. Gathers in Fort Madison.  She survives.  He was a 42 year member of the Masonic Lodge #464.  He was well known throughout Hancock County.

Darwin is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Carthage; three daughters, Ginger (Lee) Woodside of Tennessee, Illinois, Candy (Denny) Hellyer of Loraine, Illinois and Lynda Ferrel of Keokuk, Iowa; five sons, Rocky (Lynn) Wisehart of Quincy, Robert (Angie) Wisehart of Carthage, Rick (Chris) Wisehart of Carthage, Randy (Barb) Gathers of Indianola, Iowa and Neal (Amy) Gathers of Ft. Madison, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren, Michaell (Matt) Zimmerman, Nathan (Stacie) Wisehart, Sara (Devin) Lenix, Cassy (Ragan) Peter, Kayla (Jeremy) Bosch, Rachelle Wisehart, Leah (Andy) Boyer, Charli Wisehart, Tyler (Danielle) Gathers, Amber (Brian) Miller, Eric (Lacey) Ferrel, Brad (Elizabeth) Ferrel, Troy (Amy) Ferrel, Laci Gathers, Brenna Gathers, Jared (Kathleen) Gregory and Ross and Connor Smith and Ashlyn and Danielle Henderson; and nineteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Larry Wisehart.

Private family services will be held at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage with burial at a later date in Moss Ridge Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the Memorial Hospital Foundation, Union Presbyterian Church of Ft. Madison or the Ft. Madison Fire and Rescue.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.