William K. "Ken" Wilke

William "Ken" Wilke, age 73, of Canton, Ohio, passed peacefully, with his wife, Beverly, at his bedside, on May 4th after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Ken was born on October 30, 1948, in Vermillion to George H. and Bettie (Irish) Wilke. Ken was a 1966 Massillon Perry High School graduate and a Michigan Tech graduate in 1970 with a B. S. in Forestry Management. In college, he was in ROTC and received an Honorable Discharge. Through junior high and high school Ken delivered newspapers to assist with college tuition. He also worked during and post-high school at his parent's paint store, Canton Paint and Wallpaper. Ken worked as a Deputy Sheriff at the Stark County Sheriff Department, then for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Kentucky. The majority of his career was for The Timken Company in Canton and California, retiring from the Canton office. Ken was an active member of Dueber Church, Sunday School, many committees, and the Celebration Choir until his Alzheimer's. He also sang bass in the Greater Canton Men's Chorus, A Chorus for A Cause, and the Berean -Lifeway Choir. Ken even sang at Carnegie Hall with A Chorus for a Cause. He was a hiker with Hike-a-Hundred of Stark Parks and a faithful member of the Older Adult Ministries (Seniors) of the Canton Salvation Army. Ken was a poll worker for the Stark County Board of Elections for many years. Ken most recently sang in the Hanover Alzheimer's Choir. Hobbies for Ken included Ancestry, woodworking, playing the piano, singing, and being a do-anything fix-it guy, especially for others and church. One of Ken's greatest joys was watching his boys grow up, play sports – he never missed a game, and become good men. Even though Alzheimer's took over Ken's mind, he never lost his zeal for glorifying and loving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Molly Yeckley. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Beverly Boudler Wilke; sons, Nathanial (Briana) of CA and Nicholas of Canton; grandsons London and Ezra of CA; and brother, George L. Wilke of Castalia. A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, May 10, at 11 AM at Dueber Church, 654 Dueber Ave. SW, Canton preceded by calling hours from 10 – 11 AM in the church Parlor. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Dueber Celebration Choir c/o of the church. Interment will be at Forest Hill. All services are thanks to Lamiell Funeral Home. Beverly would like to especially thank: the Canton Salvation Army "Seniors" and Director Jennie Miller; Hanover House Memory Care Unit and Activity Coordinator Ruth Busch; and Crossroads Hospice.