Wilke Direct Line Ancestors

Sideline Research
These lines have married into my family (primary and secondary lines of research seen above) and are included here to aid other researchers. I am not currently researching these names; however, the pages are updated as information becomes available.

Arrants of South Carolina

Barnes of South Carolina

Blyther of South Caroliina

Boykin of South Carolina

Cook Family of South Carolina

Coombs of Maine

Checker/Tskeris Greece

Davis of South Carolina

Dennis of South Carolina

Freeman of South Carolina

Holland of South Carolina

Huggins of South Carolina

Hurst of South Carolina

Jones of South Carolina

Josey/Jossey of South Carolina

Keretas of Greece

Medhurst of England

Meyers of South Carolina

Moseley of South Carolina

Rodgers of South Carolina

Ross of South Carolina

Yates/Yeates of South Carolina

Online Research Sites

Sumter South Carolina Genealogy

Kershaw South Carolina Genealogy

County Kent England Genealogy

Walking with Ghosts

.......... a website for the descendants of Angus and Nancy McCutchen MacLeod~~

~~~~~~~

The Wilke Family Page

This page is dedicated to Edward Charles Wilke IV (photo right). "Big Ed" passed away in January of 1998. All research was done by he and his wife in 1990 unless otherwise noted.

Generation One - Edward C. Wilke

born August 1856 in Deutschland (1920 New York Census/United States Federal Cenus - http://search.ancestry.com - Found 8/20/2002) died April 6, 1933 Long Island City, Queens, NY, USA buried April 8, 1933 Jamaica L.I., Queens, NY, USA married first to Theresa (--?--) b. June 1855 in France d. before 1808 Census Place: Queens County New York Census Year 1910, Edward is remarried to Lucy by this census - states he has been married for two years and that this is a second marriage for him. Married by 1910 second to Lucy (--?--) born 1867 in Germany

Possible Naturalization Record

Edward Wilke National W420 October 28 1878 Volume 483 Copy of Record Number 280 Address 901 4th Ave NYC Bartender German Witness Henry Wallenstien 537 Second Avenue NYC (Butcher) Source Information: Ancestry.com. New York Petitions for Naturalization [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: Soundex Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in Federal, State, and Local Courts located in New York City, 1792-1906. New York, NY, USA:

Census Records

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; Roll: T623 1147; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 622. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls. Accessed 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke

Wilke Edward House 179 63 115 Head of Household W M Aug 1856 age 43 married 21 years POB Germany Father POB Germany Mother POB Germany Immigration 1874 (26 years in United States) Occupation Baker Education Yes Yes Yes Own House /J Free of Mortgage?/ House not farm

Wilke Theresa Wife W F June 1855 age 44 shows her as single but married 21 years with 2 births 2 living children POB France Fathers POB France Mothers POB France Immigration 1873 (27 years in United States No occupation shown Education Yes Yes Yes

Wilke August Son W M Dec 1879 aged 20 Single POB New York Parents Germany and France Occupation Drug Clerk Education Yes Yes Yes

Wilke Edward Son W M Nov 1880 aged 19 Single POB New York Parents Germany and France Occupation Clerk Education Yes Yes Yes

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; Roll: T624_1064; Page: 21B; Enumeration District: 1162; Image: 140. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls Accessed 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke

Wilke Edward C House 179 265 295 Head of Household M W aged 53 Married twice this marriage 2 years POB Germany same for parents Occupation Driver of a Baker's wagon

Wilke Lucy Wife W F aged 43 Married once 2 years 0 births POB appears to also be Germany with same for parents...Immigration appears to be 1888

Cummings, Nelli boarded with them; she was born in NY but her parents were both born in England - she was a stenographer for an Insurance Company.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Queens Assembly District 1, Queens, New York; Roll: T625_1229; Page: 28A; Enumeration District: 49; Image: 1061. Source Citation: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.

Wilke Edward C House 179 Head of Household W M aged 63 Married POB Germany native lanquage German Parents born Germany Occupation NONE Owns

Wilke Lucia Wife W F aged 53 Married POB Naturalized Citizen Year Naturalized 1900 Germany native lanquage German Occupation NONE

They apparently now had a family of renters - Head of that household was Helen Clancy aged 31 with no occupation - Helen was born in New York but her father was born in Ireland and her mother was born in Scotland - it appears her sisters lived with her Rose aged 29, Anna aged 21 and Mary aged 19 - Rose, Anna and Mary were all telephone operators. This household? has a boarder listed as Helen Bree who was also a telephone operator aged 22.

From this I would assume that the Wilke's were renting out either the first or second story of their home - it is listed as the same house number (179) but as a different household number visited (528)

Year: 1930; Census Place: Queens, Queens, New York; Roll: 1585; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 70; Image: 115.0. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration

Wilke Edward C 3148 74 224 Head of Household Owns __ 1 no M W aged 73 M 22 no yes POB Germany same for parents Native lanq German Immigration 1873 Natuarilized yes none

Wilke Lucia W F aged 63 M 41 No Yes POB Germany same for parents Native Lanq German Immigration 1889 Naturalized yes none

Renters:

Klenk, Hans Head M W aged 23 single Immigration in 1927 occupation Painter
Klenk, Samuel brother M W aged 21 single Immigration in 1929 occupation Carpenter
Studdick, Mary Cousin F W aged 22 single Immigration in 1925 occupation Waitress in Tea Room

Children of Edward and Theresa Wilke

1. August William Wilke b. Dec 13, 1879 Queens, New York United States of America d. married to Mary (--?--) b. Abt. 1884 in New York (Father born Switzerland/Mother born Hamburg)

Children of August and Mary

1. William Wilke b. Abt. 1905 Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York

2. Herbert Wilke b. Abt. 1908 Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York

3. Edwin Wilke b. Abt. 1912 in either Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York or Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey

4. Agnes Wilke b. Abt. 1914 in either Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York or Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey

Year: 1910; Census Place: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; Roll: T624_1064; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 1161; Image: 63. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls. Accessed 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke

August Wilke Age in 1910: 30 Estimated birth year: abt 1880 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: Germany Mother's Birth Place: Germany Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Married 6 years Race: White Gender: Male Occupation Clerk in the Customs House

Mary Wilke Age in 1910: 26 Estimated birth year: abt 1884 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Wife Father's Birth Place: Germany Mother's Birth Place: Germany Spouse's name: August Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Female

William Wilke Age in 1910: 5 Estimated birth year: abt 1905 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: August Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Male

Herbert Wilke Age in 1910: 2 Estimated birth year: abt 1908 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: August Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Male

Year: 1920;Census Place: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey; Roll: T625_1019; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 90; Image: 469 Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA. Accessed 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke

August W Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 40 years Estimated birth year: abt 1880 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Mary Father's Birth Place: Preußen Mother's Birth Place: France Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Male Home owned: Own Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

Mary Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 37 years Estimated birth year: abt 1883 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Wife Spouse's name: August W Father's Birth Place: Switzerland Mother's Birth Place: Hamburg Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Female
Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

William Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 14 years Estimated birth year: abt 1906 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: August W Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Sex: Male Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

Herbert Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 12 years Estimated birth year: abt 1908 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: August W Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Sex: Male Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

Edwin Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 8 years Estimated birth year: abt 1912 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: August W Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Sex: Male

Agnes Wilke Home in 1920: Palisades Park, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 6 years Estimated birth year: abt 1914 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Daughter Father's name: August W Father's Birth Place: New York Mother's name: Mary Mother's Birth Place: New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Sex: Female

Year: 1930; Census Place: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey; Roll: 1315; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 169; Image: 17.0. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Accessed 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke

August Wilke Owns $6000.00 Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 50 Estimated birth year: abt 1880 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Mary Race: White age at marriage 25 ---- no yes New York Germany Hamburg language English 56 13 0 - - yes Customs US Tresury 9693 W yes - no

Mary Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 46 Estimated birth year: abt 1884 Relation to Head of House: Wife aged at marriage 22

Herbert Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 22 Estimated birth year: abt 1908 Relation to Head of House: Son Cutter at paper factory

Edwin Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 19 Estimated birth year: abt 1911 Relation to Head of House: Son Cutter at paper factory

Aquene (Agnes) Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 16 Estimated birth year: abt 1914 Relation to Head of House: Daughter

U.S. World War II Draft Registration Card, 1942 Source Citation: Roll: WW2_2275648; Local board: Bergen , New Jersey. Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. National Archives and Records Administration Branch locations: National Archives and Records Administration Region Branches.

1942 World War II Military Draft Card Serial Number 3137

August William Wilke 121 Center Street, New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey age 62 Birth date December 13th 1879 Place of Birth New York City, New York Mrs. Mary Wilke same address Employer: US Treasury Department, US Customs, Hoboken New Jersey (River Street)

2. Edward J. Wilke II b. 25 Nov 1880 Astoria, Long Is, NY, USA . d. 31 aug 1955 Hackensack, Bergen, NJ, USA DEATH: Age 74 years. Attending doctor - Frank J. Schaberg M.D. Cause of death - Stroke. Cerebrovascular accident with right hemiplegia. Cerebral arteriosclerosis. Intraocular tumor left eye. Time 12:00 p.m SOURCES: Death certificate, Obituary in newspaper BURIAL Sept 3, 1955 St. Joseph's Cemetary, Hackensack, NJ OCCUPATION: Retired paymaster for Nat. Biscuit Co.(Death certificate) Councilman in New Milford, N.J. (newspaper article) ANCESTOR SEE NEXT

Generation Two Edward John Wilke

b. 25 Nov 1880 Astoria, Long Is, NY, USA . d. 31 aug 1955 Hackensack, Bergen, NJ, USA DEATH: Age 74 years. Attending doctor - Frank J. Schaberg M.D. Cause of death - Stroke. Cerebrovascular accident with right hemiplegia. Cerebral arteriosclerosis. Intraocular tumor left eye. Time 12:00 p.m SOURCES: Death certificate, Obituary in newspaper BURIAL Sept 3, 1955 St. Joseph's Cemetary, Hackensack, NJ OCCUPATION: Retired paymaster for Nat. Biscuit Co.(Death certificate) Councilman in New Milford, N.J. (newspaper article) married in New York or New Jersey USA to Suzanna Wright b. 15 Nov 1882 New York City, NY, USA Source Certified copy of death, Hackensack Health Dept. d. Nov. 2, 1931 Hackensack, Bergen, NJ, USA Date of Death Age 47 yrs. 11 Mo. 21 days Cause of Death - Chronic myocarditis, M. Lynch M.D. Hackensack, NJ Source Certified copy of death, Hackensack Health Dept. BURIAL Nov 5, 1931 St. Joseph's Cemetary, Hackensack, NJ Source Certified copy of death, Hackensack Health Dept.

Suzanna Wright daughter of - Samuel Wright, birthplace - Scotland and Anna Jane Wright, birthplace - England BIRTH Nov 15, 1882 New York City, NY Father - Samuel Wright, birthplace - Scotland Mother - Anna Jane Wright, birthplace - England Date of Death Nov. 2, 1931 Age 47 yrs. 11 Mo. 21 days Cause of Death - Chronic myocarditis, M. Lynch M.D. Hackensack, NJ BURIAL Nov 5, 1931 St. Joseph's Cemetary, Hackensack, NJ Source Certified copy of death, Hackensack Health Dept.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; Roll: T624_1064; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 1172; Image: 510. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls.

Edward J Wilke Age in 1910: 29 Estimated birth year: abt 1881 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: Germany Mother's Birth Place: France Spouse's name: Susanna Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Occupation Assistant Pay Master at a Biscuit Manufacturer - Rented his home - H 10 7 2 8

Susanna Wilke Age in 1910: 26 Estimated birth year: abt 1884 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Wife Father's Birth Place: Ireland Gaelic speaking Mother's Birth Place: England Spouse's name: Edward J Home in 1910: Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Female

DEATH: Aug 31, 1955. Age 74 years. Attending doctor - Frank J. Schaberg M.D.

Cause of death - Stroke. Cerebrovascular accident with right hemiplegia.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis. Intraocular tumor left eye. Time 12:00 p.m.

OCCUPATION: Retired paymaster for Nat. Biscuit Co.(Death certificate)

Councilman in New Milford, N.J. (newspaper article)

SOURCES: Death certificate, Obituary in newspaper

Children of Edward John and Susannah

1. Edward Clarence Wilke III b. 3 Oct 1904 Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; NY USA BIRTH: Oct 3 1903 (death certificate). Oct 3 1904 (Birth certificate, School certificate & SS file). LDS Geneology Library Social Security Search on computer Birth certificate, Age & Schooling Certificate, Marriage Certificate. d. 4 Mar 1974 in Englewood, Bergen NJ, USA DEATH: March 4,1974 at 3:30 p.m., Englewood Hospital, Age 70 yrs. Cause of death: Respiratory arrest due to severe emphysema, Dean Penn, M.D. BURIAL: Mar 8, 1974 Geo.Washington Mem.Park, Paramus, N.J. Vander Plaat Mem.Home, Paramus, N.J. OCCUPATION: Doorman at Mediterranean Towers, Ft. Lee,N.J. (death certificate) married 27 Nov 1928 (div/re-m) Bergenfield NJ USA Mildred Olivia Coombs b. 5 Jan 1908 in Rumford, ME, USA d. 12 Oct 1989 in Jacksonville, Fl USA Divorced July 6, 1939. Final Decree of Divorce, Chancery No. 98 Trenton, New Jersey ANCESTOR - SEE NEXT

2. Florence M Wilke b. 1909 Queens Ward 1, Queens, New York; NY USA d. unknown married to (--?--) Spellman by 1942 U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 Edward John Wilke Serial Number: 2880 407 Park Street Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey, aged 61 born in New York City, New York States person who will always know his location is his daughter Florence M Spellman who lives at the same address (1942) Occupation with Mack Drug Company located at Atlantic Street and Railroad Avenue

Generation Three Edward Clarence Wilke III

b. 3 Oct 1904 New York, NY USA BIRTH: Oct 3 1903 (death certificate). Oct 3 1904 (Birth certificate, School certificate & SS file). LDS Geneology Library Social Security Search on computer Birth certificate, Age & Schooling Certificate, Marriage Certificate. d. 4 Mar 1974 in Englewood, Bergen NJ, USA DEATH: March 4,1974 at 3:30 p.m., Englewood Hospital, Age 70 yrs. Cause of death: Respiratory arrest due to severe emphysema, Dean Penn, M.D. BURIAL: Mar 8, 1974 Geo.Washington Mem.Park, Paramus, N.J. Vander Plaat Mem.Home, Paramus, N.J. OCCUPATION: Doorman at Mediterranean Towers, Ft. Lee,N.J. (death certificate) married 27 Nov 1928 (div/re-m) Bergenfield NJ USA Mildred Olivia Coombs b. 5 Jan 1908 in Rumford, ME, USA d. 12 Oct 1989 in Jacksonville, Fl USA Divorced July 6, 1939. Final Decree of Divorce, Chancery No. 98 Trenton, New Jersey

Edward and Mildred

Edward married Althea Unknown

Mildred married February 24, 1951 to Malcolm J. Sayward

IGI Individual Record http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp FamilySearch™ U.S. Social Security Death Index 30 September 2000

Edward WILKE Birth Date: 3 Oct 1904 Death Date: Mar 1974 Social Security Number: ######
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: New Jersey Death Residence Localities ZIP Code: 07666 Localities: Teaneck, Bergen, New Jersey West Englewood, Bergen, New Jersey

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey; Roll: 1315; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 169; Image: 22.0. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke 2007

Edward C Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 25 Estimated birth year: abt 1905 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Milared O Race: White Rents home value $40.00 age at marriage was 25 Occupation Insurance Agent

Milared O Wilke Home in 1930: New Milford, Bergen, New Jersey Age: 22 Estimated birth year: abt 1908 Relation to Head of House: Wife POB Maine, Father's POB Maine Mother POB New Jersey

Generation Four Edward Charles Wilke IV

born 5 July 1931, Englewood, Bergen, NJ, BIRTH: Englewood Hospital, Englewood , N.J., on July 5, 1931 at 4.52 a.m. Dr. Prather M.D. SOURCES - Birth Certificate, Baptismal certificate, Baptismal at South Presbyterian Church. Rev. Walter H. Westerfield death January 10 1998 in Orange Park, Florida married 8 May 1952 Chestertown Kent MD to Rene Ruth (Tskeris) Checker Marriage certificate, DD214 B. 25 Mar 1935 New London, Conn USA D. 29 August 2009 Orange Park, Florida, USA

OCCUPATION: Enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 6, 1948 Service Number 211-74-36 Rate ABCS, Pay Grade E-8 Released from active duty February 12, 1968, Honorable discharge

Medals - Good Conduct 5th award, National Defense Service Medal 2nd award, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp.

EDUCATION: B.A. in Education

Teacher - Clay County School Board 1978 - 1992

Above: Ed in his shop at the high school and again at home - building a cradle in 1995 for his youngest grandchild.

-The Navy Color Guard at Ed's January 1998 Funeral

The Final Moments of the Funeral for Ed. The family gathered on the dock on the St. John's River and threw a wreath into the River. Amazing Grace was played on the Bagpipes by Kirk Alan McLeod, brother of Ed's daughter-in-law.

Rene Checker Wilke:

BIRTH: Lawrence Memorial Hospital, New London, CT. Dr. Charles E. Dyer,M.D.

Baptismal in the Greek Orthodox Church, Church of Evangelismos, West 54 Street,

New York City. Godfather - Tom Dunukos second godfather - Charles Seferos

EDUCATION: B.A. in Education, June 7, 1974, University of North Florida.

Master of Education, August 5, 1989, University of North Florida.

OCCUPATION: Art teacher, Clay County School Board, Green Cove Springs, Fl.

1974 - 1990

SOURCES: Birth certificate, Baptismal certificate, Marriage certificate

Clay Today

Friends say Wilke left lasting impressions

| August 6, 2009 |

By Stephen Kindland

Staff writer

ORANGE PARK ñ Town Council members observed a moment of silence prior to a council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in memory of Rene Wilke, a longtime resident, multi-award winning artist and former town council member who died in her River Road home this past weekend. She was 74.

Wilke's body was discovered by a family member on Sunday, Aug. 2, but an exact date and time of death has not been determined.

Wilke, who served on the Orange Park Town Council from January 1993 to March 1995, was known by friends and colleagues as a strong-willed woman who wasn't shy about expressing her opinions or voicing her disapproval on various issues. Such was the case in the early 1990s when she sat in a chair to temporarily block the town's construction of a sidewalk between River Road and the banks of the St. Johns River.

Toni C..., a longtime friend and fellow member of the Art Guild of Orange Park, said she was "numb" after hearing of Wilke's unexpected passing. C... said she saw Wilke late last week, and that Wilke had been sending e-mails on her home computer to keep neighbors apprised of various town government issues.

"This can't be true," C... said. "Rene was a very hard working individual and really devoted to what she believed in."

Wilke also served on the town's Finance and Budget committee, and recently was named president of the local Society of Collage Artists, which she joined in 2004.

Barbara D…., a longtime Orange Park resident who worked with Wilke on local political campaigns, said she also was shocked to hear the news.

"She did a lot of computer work, and she was very good at handling details." D…. said.

"We agreed to disagree in a ladylike manner and moved on from there. All in all, she'll be missed by a lot of people for a lot of reasons."

Another close friend, Orange Park Town Councilman Steve H..., said Wilke was "passionate about the town," and that he has had one of Wilke's collages hanging in his home for a number of years.

"I always called her a rare flower," H... said.

Details concerning a possible memorial service have not yet been made, a family member said.

Children:

1. Living

2. Richard Austin Wilke b. 6 Apr 1956 Oakland, CA, USA d. 16 Jan 2015 Mississippi, USA

3. Living

4. Living