John Paul Wilke

Holt, Michigan
Born November 29, 1942 in Lansing, Michigan son of the late Paul H.C. and Dorothy E. (Wilson) Wilke passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026 at the age of 83.  Surviving are his two sisters, Diane (Larry) Porter and Deborah (Gary) Becker along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families and several extended family members.
John was preceded in death by his sister, Paulette (Carl) Laing; sister, Colette (Larry) Knutzen, and his brother, David (Jo) Wilke.
John lived to work! He enjoyed his time at Transitions North and worked as a ‘piece worker’ for them almost since the beginning until the day they closed their doors.  Following that time he found a new community family at Forster Woods; a place he loved and they loved him as much or more. John was an avid U of M fan and liked to tell people, “I ain’t no Michigan State fan!” He also enjoyed playing cards, putting together puzzles, listening and singing to music (Country music, especially Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash), and he also enjoyed watching Westerns, Little House on the Prairie, and Bluey.
John loved his family and friends with his whole being and was loved right back by everyone that met him. He was a light to all and if he told you that you were his friend that really meant that he loved you and you might have been one of his favorites! He will be missed beyond words by so many people.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, 2121 N. Cedar St. in Holt. Interment will follow at Deepdale Cemetery in Lansing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday for 30 minutes prior to the funeral. Please feel free to wear your maize and blue! He would have loved nothing more than to see all his loved one’s sporting his favorite team’s colors!
Those who wish may make memorial contributions, in loving memory of John, to Forster Woods Adult Day Services, 201 Hillside Court, East Lansing, MI 48823.