Dale Robert Wilke, Edgerton, WI  (1949 - 2012)

March 20, 1949 - February 2, 2012
Dale Robert Wilke, age 62, of Edgerton, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
On March 20, 1949, the world was forever changed for Robert and Bette (Olson) Wilke of Janesville when Dale was born. The adventure had just begun! Dale was baptized and confirmed at Central Lutheran Church, Edgerton. He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1967 and joined the Marine Corps Third Marine Division from 1967-1969, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He bravely served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal of Valor for Heroic Achievement in direct contact with an enemy force. On June 20, 1970, Dale and Candy (Slagg) began their wonderful 41 years of marriage together. Dale completed his Electrician Apprentice at Fairbanks Morse, Beloit and he retired in 2004 from General Motors after 30 years as an electrician where he was a proud member of the UAW Local 95.
As a man of many talents, he will be remembered for his love of hunting and fishing with his family, friends and his "Maggie". Dale coached his brother and sons' youth baseball teams in Edgerton for many years and was an enthusiastic fan of Edgerton wrestling, baseball and football. He was proud of the 300 game he bowled in 1985 at Playmore in Janesville while on the UAW Monday Night League. Dale and his family enjoyed many years of camping with a great group of friends. His family and friends will cherish his woodworking creations for years to come. He loved spending time with his five grandchildren.
Dale is survived by his loving wife, Candy; two children: Heather (Chad) Perkins of Edgerton and Nathan (Nicole) Wilke of Milton; five grandchildren: Hannah and Madeline Perkins of Edgerton and Annabelle, Cael and Seth Wilke of Milton. He is further survived by his mother, Bette Wilke of Evansville; two sisters: Julie (Ken) Edwardson of Kansasville, WI, and Diane (Bruce) Keehn of Evansville; two brothers: Larry (Penny) of DuBois, WY, and Keith (Pat) of Eufaula, OK; one brother-in-law, Don Slagg of Overland Park, KS; three sisters-in-law: Janice Martin of Stoughton, Nancy Slagg of Glenview, IL and Kathy Klein of Edgerton; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-nephews and wonderful friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, David; his father, Robert Wilke; one sister, Linda; father and mother-in-law, Stanley and Helen Slagg; brother-in-law, Bruce Slagg; brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and Gloria Slagg; sister-in-law, Kathleen Slagg; brother-in-law, Roger Martin; nephew, Roger (Tiger) Martin, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Paula Wilke.
A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at the EHLERT FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES (US HWY 51 S) Edgerton, with the Rev. Lora Whitten and Rev. Roy Poltrock officiating. A celebration of Dale's life will be held on Sunday, at the FUNERAL HOME, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Full Military services will be held by the Edgerton Memorial Squad, at the FUNERAL HOME, following the service.
"A special thank you to Dr. Jennifer Hussli, Dr. Shahid Shekhani, Mercy Hospice Care and the oncology staff at Mercy Cancer Center for the wonderful care you gave to Dale. We also want to thank Dale's close friends for their uplifting support during Dale's illness."
Dad, you are an incredible person who amazed us right to the end. We are so blessed to have had you in all our lives and thank you for providing us with a lifetime of stories to tell our kids. Thank you for the incredible memories and advice.
You will never be forgotten.