Wilbur C. Wilken

Wilbur C. Wilken, Jr., 87, of St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, MI. Wilbur was born on September 5, 1924 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Wilbur C. and Albina Julia (Ebel) Wilken, Sr. Wilbur proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1989 after years of service with the Indiana Michigan Electric Company, Benton Harbor. On September 8, 1950, in Mishawaka, IN, he married Maryetta May “Sue” (Hope) Wilken, who survives. He is also survived by his son, David C. (Jo Ann) Wilken of Wauwatosa, WI, daughter, Dawn E. (Larry) Pallas of Portage, MI, grandchildren, Justin Pallas, Andrew Wilken, Mindy O’Brien, Jill Wilken, Julie Wilken, Ashley Wilken, and great-granddaughter, Kayla Pallas. Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Louis & Richard Wilken, a sister, Judith Skene, and a granddaughter, Angel Pallas. Wilbur was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 23, 2012, officiated by Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum of the church. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, where military honors will be presented by the North Berrien Military Rites Team, Coloma. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, Grace Lutheran Church, and Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to sign Wilbur’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.