Wilfred J. Wilker age 87 of New Bremen, died on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 5:05 A.M. at the Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen.

He was born on September 13, 1930 near St. Marys, OH. He was the son of Julius and Gertrude (Kramer) Wilker. On July 24, 1954 he married Ruth F. Grieshop who preceded him in death on April 1, 1998.

Surviving him include his children; Marilyn and Nick Pohlman of Russia, OH., Bob and Jackie Wilker of New Bremen, Ron and Deb Wilker of St. Marys, Marge and Ed Doenges of New Bremen, Joan and Mark Balster of Coldwater, Gene and Cindy Wilker of St. Marys, Karen and Dennis Stammen of Coldwater, and Tom and Amy Wilker of New Bremen, thirty six grandchildren and twenty eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings; Martin Wilker of Montezuma, Jerome and Imelda Wilker of New Bremen, Lester Wilker of TN, Charles and Mary Wilker of St. Marys, Gerald and Joann Wilker of Versailles, Carolyn Mangen of Tipp City, and Paul and Diane Wilker of New Haven, IN.

Preceding him in death was a granddaughter and his brother Bernard Wilker.

Mr. Wilker was an active member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen and had served as an usher. He was a retired member of the St. Marys Township Fire Dept. and had served for two terms as a St. Marys Township Trustee.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 470 of Coldwater and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 776 of Lima. Wilfred was a lifetime farmer, a passion he didn't consider a job. He also had been a part owner of the St. Marys Plumbing and Heating and retired in 1992 from Smith-Bougham Mechanical of Lima.

He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, both locally and making trips to South Dakota, and enjoyed spending time with his friends from work "Pat the Rat" and Thunder and Lightning.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial will follow in the Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 3 until 8 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen and on Thursday from 9 A.M. until 10 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer at which time the Rosary will be prayed.

The family suggests and requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Wilfred to the Maria Stein Holy Relics Chapel, or to the St. Marys Township Fire Dept.

Condolences can be left at the website: www.gilberghartwigfh.com.