Wilken, George

George Paul Wilken, 96, of New Baden, died Thursday, June 30, 2011 at Clinton Manor Living Center in New Baden. He was born January 30, 1915 in Bartelso, son of Wessel and Wilhelmina (Beckmann) Wilken. He married Magdalene E. Golsch on June 25, 1941 in New Baden and she survives in New Baden. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Georgieann “Dolly” Gebke of Bartelso, Marlene (Robert) Haas of Belleville, Eugene (Sherry) Wilken of St. Rose, Dale (Melba) Wilken of Washington, MO, Darlene (Louis) Boeckmann, Elfrieda (Richard) Poettker, Brendalee (Randy) Ross and Gary (Dorothy) Wilken all of New Baden; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Katherine and Adolph “Bud” Hug of New Baden and Agnes Teague of Ferguson, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Thomas Gebke; four brothers and their spouses, Paul (Mildred) Wilken, Henry (Frances) Wilken, Alphonse (Margaret) Wilken and Vincent (Dorothy) Wilken; three sisters and their spouses, Rose (George) Winkler, Frances (Victor) Wellinghoff and Laura (Otis) Boatright. Mr. Wilken was a construction worker for Keely Brothers in East St. Louis. He was a WWII Veteran of the United States Army and served in the 3rd Army under General George Patton in England, Germany, Italy, Sicily, North Africa and France. He was a member of St. George Parish in New Baden where he was a mass server and an usher; a member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden; a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus New Baden Council 10311; Laborers Local 100, Caseyville; New Baden Senior Citizens, and the New Baden Singers and Swingers. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, July 4, 2011 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. The New Baden American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Monday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made for Masses or to Heartland Hospice or Clinton Manor Activity Fund and will be received at the funeral home.