Obituary: Roger M. Wilke Sr.

November 19, 1933 ~ June 8, 2020

Roger M. Wilke Sr., 86, of Sturgeon Bay died on Monday, June 8, 2020 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.  Roger was born November 19, 1933 to Melvin and Lucille (Schulties) Wilke.  On February 4, 1967, he married Thea Gunderson in Sturgeon Bay.  She preceded him in death on December 19, 1997.

Roger worked for Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay and later was known as the “fix it guy” for many friends and neighbors in Little Sturgeon. Roger Could weld and fix just about anything.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Roger Jr. and Laurie Wilke of Brussels; a daughter Tina Wilke and her partner John Welch Jr. of North Carolina; brother and sisters: Richard (Bonnie) Wilke, Rosemary (Bob) Holland, Lois (John) Holland and Marvel Junion; two granddaughters, Mandy (Jason) Smith and Victoria Wilke (Michael Bryfczynski); 5 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother Lynn Wilke, three sisters, Ruby Ann Paul, Judy Srnka, Susan Willke and in- laws, also his longtime companion Butch his dog.

A public visitation for family and friends will be held at the Forbes Funeral Home on Friday, June 12, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  A private family service and burial Schulties Cemetery will follow the visitation.  To protect the family and the public, a limited number of people will be allowed in the building at one time.  Social distancing and other measures recommended by the CDC and WEDC will also be implemented.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Aurora BayCare and Kewaunee Care Center for their care and kindness to Roger and his family.