James V. “Jim” Wilken
- Visitation Dates and Times
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Visitation Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
- Service Date
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
- Service Time
2:00 p.m.
- Service Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
- Full Obituary
James V. “Jim” Wilken, age 86, of Bartelso, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025, at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon with his family by his side. He was born April 17, 1938, in Bartelso, a son of the late Alphonse and Margaret, nee Gebke, Wilken. Jim married Margaret M. “Margie”, nee Varel, Wilken February 20, 1963, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso and she survives.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his children, Mark Wilken, Floyd (Kelly) Wilken, Keith (Julie) Wilken, and Kelly (Scott) Harre all of Bartelso; grandchildren, Taylor (Gavin) Thomas, Kendra (Dylan) Mueller, Brendan (Chloe) Wilken, Brock Wilken, Olyvia (friend, Danny Metzger) Wilken, Alyse (friend, Clayton Dannaman) Wilken, Bryce (fiancé, Breanne Jansen) Harre, Ashtyn Harre, and Reece Harre; great-grandchildren, Hadlyn and Grace Thomas, Blair Mueller, and Archer Wilken; siblings, Jack (Cleo) Wilken, Ruth Ann “Tootsie” (Leroy) Hoh, Carol (Phil) Menkhaus, Kathy (Don) Frerker all of Bartelso, Jerry (Kathy) Wilken of St. Louis, and Joe Wilken of Aviston; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bill (Joann) Varel of Bartelso, Blanche Goebel of Breese, Flossie (Frank) Schlautman of Bartelso, Joan Varel of Bartelso, and Betty Varel of Bartelso; and nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death a son, James Gerald Wilken in infancy; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Margaret, nee Hemker, Varel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jerome (Dolores “Toots”) Varel, Pete Varel, Jim Varel, Sally (Bernie) Gerdes, Bernadette (Gerhard) Kluemke, and Frank Goebel.
After graduating high school, Jim served in the United States Army for two years. Following his service, he worked at Peerless Enamel Company before beginning his 30-year career with Ford Motor Company, retiring in 1994. In his retirement, Jim cherished babysitting his grandchildren, attending their school and sporting events, and enjoying his hobbies of hunting, fishing, bowling, playing cards, and camping. He was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso and the Bartelso Knights of Columbus Council 4745.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Thomas Lugge and Fr. James Buerster concelebrating. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery, Bartelso.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to Bartelso Community Development Club/62218 or Murray Parent Association and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, PO Box 117, Germantown, IL 62245, who is serving the family.
