James J. Wilks, 77, Bohners Lake, died Oct. 14, 2015, at his home in the loving presence of his family. He was born March 29, 1938, to the late James and Ellen (Pennanen) Wilks in Ahmeek, Mich.
He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and received the Good Conduct Medal for his service from 1956-1959.
He married Sharon Lee James on Sept. 26, 1959, and together they raised three children. They lived in Milwaukee until they moved to Burlington for James to work at American Motors. He worked for the Nestle Corporation when it opened and he retired from there after 37½ years in 2001. He continued to attend the retiree breakfast once a month to meet with his favorite “’geezers.’ He remained a member of the American Legion Post 462 in Michigan. His spare time was spent hunting grouse, bow hunting, and rooting for the Packers.
Survivors include his wife; children, Lynn Marie (Richard) Briscki, Teresa Lee (James) Layton; James Raymond Wilks; grandchildren, Maxwell, Samantha, Alexa, Alyssa, James; great-granddaughter, Annabel; siblings, Jerry (Barb) Mich., Mary Ellen (Alford) Baril, Mich. Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Abe, Mich., Charlene, S.D., Jack, Mich., Joe, S.D.; nieces and nephews.
He was further receded in death by his siblings, William (Boiga), Patricia, Judy, Douglas, and Darlene (as a child); and his in-laws.
Burial and full military honors will be at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m.
Miller-Reesman Funeral Home, Grove, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.Miller-Reesman.com.
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