John "Jack" Elliott Wilhelm was born at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, May 25, 1935, the son of Thomas Dolan and Violet Carlbon Wilhelm. He was raised there where he received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary?s Catholic Church and was graduated from Perth Amboy High School with the class of 1954. He then attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he was a member of the ROTC before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1965 from Newark College of Engineering. During his high school and college years he spent his summers working in Woodbridge New Jersey at Uncle Al?s Stewart Stand, surveying for Reagon?s Company and for NCE. On April 2, 1960, Jack was united in marriage with Ethelanne Huff at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Their union was blessed with five children, Daniel, Mary, Patricia, Thomas and Timothy They made their home briefly in Perth Amboy before moving to Rumson, New Jersey, where Jack was employed by Purolator, doing research for them at Rahway, New Jersey. In 1966 his mechanical engineering career took them to Maumee, Ohio, where Jack began doing research work for Johns-Manville Company, moving with them to Littleton, Colorado in 1976 continuing his research with them until retiring there in 1998. While residing in the Denver area Jack furthered his education taking graduate courses at St. Thomas Theological Seminary and was a graduate of the Archdiocese Biblical School of Denver. In 2004, Jack and Ethelanne moved to Denison, Iowa, where he had since resided. In his early years, Jack was a member of Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, ROTC and Beta Delta Theta Chi Fraternity at Rutgers. While residing in Colorado he was a member of the Golden Gun Club in Golden, Colorado, the "Cobra Convoy", a classy motorcycle group formed in 1978, was active in his church, ushering and teaching scripture classes, a member of several professional engineering groups and an avid member of the National Rifle Association. He was currently a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison and In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, making his own lures, motorcycling, was a superb craftsman, an artist in woodworking and was a muzzle loading rifle maker. Jack died Saturday, June 23, 2007, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 72 years and 28 days. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Viola Wilhelm, and one brother, William Wilhelm. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Ethelanne Wilhelm of Denison, five children, Daniel Wilhelm of Nevada, Mary and husband, Perry Glenn of Denison, Patricia and husband, Leo Dziedzic of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Thomas Wilhelm of Aurora, Colorado and Timothy Wilhelm and wife, Traci of Oakland, California, special niece, Lynn Mozolic of Silver Springs, Maryland, 9 grandchildren, Emily Rose Glenn, U.S. Navy, stationed in Cuba, Elizabeth Anne Glenn, U.S. Navy, stationed in Washington, D.C., Sarah Jane Glenn, Jacob Aaron Glenn and Daniel Adam Glenn all of Denison, Iowa, Matthew John Dziedzic and Joseph Aaron Dziedzic of Stephens Point, Wisconsin, Zachary Thomas Wilhelm of Austin, Texas, and Jack Wilhem of Oakland, California, three siblings, Ida Linden of Whiting, New Jersey, Thomas Wilhelm and wife, Elizabeth of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Elizabeth Ann and husband, George DeLanoy of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 28, 2007, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul J. Kelly as Celebrant. Those participating in the mass included Servers, Jacob Glenn, Daniel Glenn and Zachary Wilhelm; Lectors, Emily, Elizabeth and Sarah Glenn; Gift Bearers, Matthew and Joseph Dziedzic and Eucharistic Minister, Dan Pfannebecker. Music for the mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing "Here I Am Lord", "Amazing Grace", "On Eagles Wings" and "How Great Thou Art". Judy Thams served as organist. Following the mass the family invited everyone to join them at the parish center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, a Legion of Mary Rosary, led by Richard and Rosemarie Penn, was prayed at 5:00 p.m., and a Parish Vigil Service, led by Father Paul J. Kelly, was held at 6:30 p.m. A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer?s Association. Online condolences may be directed to
www.pfannebecker.com
.