Curtis B. Wilke, 87, of Wilson, passed away Friday, Aug. 19 , 2016. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Church, in Wilson, Texas, with Lay-Minister Tonda Freitag officiating. Graveside services will follow in Green Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton. The family will have a visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at Englunds. Curtis was born on May 25, 1929, to Benno Otto Frederick and Ella Klara (Becker) Wilke, in Wilson. He graduated from Wilson High School. Upon graduation he entered the US Army in 1950 and served in the Korean War thru 1952. Curtis returned home and to farming. He marrried Linda German on Oct. 7, 1953, at the First United Methodist Church in Slaton. He was a cotton farmer for his entire life. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church. He served faithfully on the church boards, Wilson Independent School District, Lynn County Tax Board the Lions Club and Green Memorial Cemetery Board. Curtis was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Carlton Wilke. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda of the home; daughter, Cheryl Donathan and husband Gary of Wichita Falls; four sons, Carl Wilke of Corsicana, Clyde and wife Cam Wilke, Craig and wife Karen Wilke all of Wilson, Calvin and wife Jenny Wilke of Midland; and a sister-in- law, Mary Wilke of Wilson; along with 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. The family suggests Memorials to St. John Lutheran Church, 1305 Dickson, Wilson TX 79381, and Green Memorial Cemetery in Wilson, TX 79381.
