Gerald (Jerry) James Wilker, age 85, of Versailles, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 5th, 2021, at 9:37 P.M., at his residence. He was born on April 18, 1936 in St. Marys, Ohio to the late Julius and Gertrude (Kramer) Wilker and later moved to a farm in Montazuma.
Gerald attended grade school in Montazuma, Ohio and later graduated from Coldwater High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 and was called back in 1961 during the Cuban Crisis. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Gerald worked at Clopay Corporation in Russia, Ohio. He started as a truck driver, moved to dock foreman, then to Production Scheduling Coordinator. He retired in 2002. Following retirement, he managed the Pheasant Ridge Driving Range in Versailles, Ohio.
Gerald was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles, Ohio. He served on the Parish Council and the Building Committee. He served daily mass for many years, was a Eucharistic Minister, and volunteered as a parking lot monitor for CCD. Gerald was a member of the Versailles Knights of Columbus Council for 66 years and was a Fourth Degree Knight. He was also a member of the Versailles Life Squad for 20 years and later became a paramedic. He attended the first EMT class and was active in helping equip the first ambulance, build the crash truck, and set up programs. Gerald enjoyed attending track meets and was timer for running events.
Surviving is his wife of 62 years, JoAnn (Voisinet) Wilker, whom he married September 7, 1959; son, Steve (Catherine) Wilker of Versailles, Ohio; son, Dale (Debbie) Wilker of West Chester, Ohio; daughter, Julia (Kevin) Didier of Versailles, Ohio; daughter, Kathy Wilker of Versailles, Ohio; daughter, Janell (Rick Puthoff) of Versailles, Ohio; grandchildren, Dustin (Kelli) Wilker, James (Carrie) Wilker, Addie Wilker, Clay Wilker, Madison Wilker, Mitchell Didier, Abbey Didier and fiancé Eyn Stapleton, Lindsey Didier and fiancé Ethan Rhoades, Emma Wilker, Elizabeth Didier, Faith Wilker, Nicholas Didier; great grandchildren, Alex, Kale, Cooper, Isaiah, Carson, Xavier, Flynn, and twins on the way; brothers, Jerome (Millie) Wilker of New Bremen, Ohio, and Charles (Mary) Wilker of St. Marys, Ohio; sister, Carolyn Mangen of Tipp City, Ohio; sisters in law, Marceil Wilker of St. Marys, Ohio, and Diana Wilker of Fort Wayne, Indiana; in laws, Carl Voisinet of Piqua, Ohio, Evelyn (Art) Gaier of Versailles, Ohio, Donna (Tom) Lyons of Versailles, Ohio, Norman Voisinet of Coldwater, Ohio, Jerry (Becky) Voisinet of Piqua, Ohio and Cyndi (David) Bey of Versailles, Ohio. In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by his brothers Martin Wilker, Lester Wilker, Wilfred Wilker, Bernard Wilker, and Paul Wilker; sister in laws, Madonna Wilker and Ruth Wilker; and brother in law Earl Mangen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 9, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Catholic Church 14 East Wood Street, Versailles, Ohio with Rev. Fr. James Simons Celebrant and Rev. Fr. James Duell and Rev. Fr. David Vincent ConCelebrants. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday October 8, 2021 and from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Saturday at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio. There will be a Knights of Columbus service at 7:45 PM on Friday and a Veterans graveside services on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, Gerald’s wishes are that memorial donations be made to the Neurologic Center in Burkettsville, Ohio or Everheart Hospice.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com