Wilke, Francis

Francis G. "Buzzy" Wilke, 82, of Germantown, formerly of St. Rose, died Sunday, December 30, 2007 at his home. He was born March 8, 1925 in St. Rose, son of Henry J. and Theresa R. (Goestenkors) Wilke. He married Bertha E. Grapperhaus in St. Rose on November 27, 1952 and she preceded him in death on February 13, 1994. Mr. Wilke is survived by his six children, Zita Reeves and husband Bill of Greenville, Rosanne Wellen and husband Tony of Aviston, Timothy Wilke and wife Angie of St. Rose, Bob Wilke of St. Rose, Henry Wilke and wife Teresa of Gilbert, AZ and Louella Hollenkamp and husband Gary of Germantown; 13 grandchildren, David Brousseau, Rachel Brousseau, Jeremy Reeves, Jonathan Reeves, Jessica Reeves, Matt Koch, Terri Jansen and husband Adam, Kim Wilke, Dan Wilke, Casey Wilke, Ashley Wilke, Samantha Hollenkamp and Mary Jo Hollenkamp; three brothers, Ralph Wilke and wife Theodora of Breese, Norbert Wilke and wife Mary of St. Rose, and Stanley Wilke and wife Joan of Highland; one sister , Mary Agnes Rutz and husband Ken of Grantfork; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Wilke of Aviston. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Vincent Wilke, one sister, Veronica Tebbe, and a brother-in-law, Ed Tebbe. Mr. Wilke was a retired farmer, truck driver and Pinkerton guard. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Germany. He was a member of St. Boniface Parish in Germantown, the American Legion Post 325 in Germantown, Highland VFW Post 5694, St. Joseph Hospital Volunteer, Clinton County Farm Bureau, was a retired member of the St. Rose Volunteer Fire Department, & a life member of the Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Msgr. Jim Buerster officiating. As per his wishes, Mr. Wilke donated his body to St. Louis University for medical research. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2008 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The Highland VFW will have a service at 6:30 PM, Germantown American Legion Post 325 will have a service at 7 PM followed by the Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:15 PM Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Rose Fire Department or to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.