Dale L. Wilke, age 61, of Milwaukee, formerly of West Bend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa,
He was born on December 30, 1950 in Sheboygan to the late Marlowe and Vera (nee Gatzke) Wilke. Dale graduated from Random Lake High School in the class of 1969. Following graduation, Dale began working for the Gehl Company in West Bend. During the Vietnam War Dale left the Gehl Company and served his country honorably in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Coral Sea. After his discharge, he returned to the Gehl Company and was employed there for many years until they closed.
Dale loved the Packers and Brewers, and especially enjoyed playing catch with his many nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by his two sisters, Darlene (Gordon) Wieck of Plymouth and Diann (Patrick) Riley of Orlando, FL; his brother, Darrel (Theresa) Wilke of Random Lake; many nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services in remembrance of Dale will be held on Monday August 6th at 1:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington St. West Bend. Burial will follow in Washington County Memorial Park. Visitation will be Monday at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorials in Dale's name to Make a Wish Foundation are appreciated by the family.