Lorraine (Ross) Wilke

Lorraine (Ross) Wilke, age 96 years, a resident of rural Belknap, passed away Tuesday evening, January 31, 2017, at 7:25 PM at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Doug Miller, in Paducah, Kentucky. Lorraine was born July 11, 1920 in Pope County Illinois. She was the daughter of Charles Roscoe and Annie (Womack) Ross. On November 13, 1948, Lorraine was united in marriage to Leonard Wilke in Harrisburg, Illinois. He preceded her in death on October 14, 1981. Lorraine is survived by: her children – Kay (her husband, Doug) Miller of Paducah and Ray (his wife, Martha) Wilke of Belknap; 3 grandchildren – Terri Ann of Jacksonville, Florida, Weston of Vienna and Ashlin of Joppa; 4 step grandchildren – Christina of Salem, Kentucky, Vanessa of Franklin, Kentucky, Nathan of Salem, Kentucky, and Keith of Louisville, Kentucky; 4 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; a sister-in-law – Ora Nell Ross of Marion; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine was preceded in death by: 4 brothers – John “Buck”, Abe, Carl and Clifford Ross and 2 sisters – Beulah Crews and Bonnie Lou Litman. Lorraine was a 1937 graduate of the Vienna High School. Following her graduation, Lorraine attended business college in Marion, Illinois for a period of time on a scholarship which she had earned. During World War II, Lorraine was employed as an airplane assembler at a manufacturing plant in Evansville, Indiana. Lorraine was a proud homemaker and loved being a farm wife. In her spare time, she enjoyed crafting hand woven rugs. Lorraine was a member of the Anderson Congregational Church in the Boaz community. A service honoring the life of Lorraine Wilke will be conducted Thursday afternoon, February 2, 2017, at 2 PM at the Anderson Congregational Church, 6283 County Road 150 East, Karnak, Illinois. Burial will be in the Anderson Cemetery. There will be no public visitation prior to the service. However, the family will receive relatives and friends following the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-1905 or to the Joppa High School (F.F.A. Program), P.O. Box 10, Joppa, Illinois 62953.

Lorraine (Ross) Wilke

July 11, 1920 - January 31, 2017