David John Wilke

David John Wilke

Brandon, MS

David John Wilke was welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior early Thursday morning June 13, 2024. Close family including his soulmate and devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Ann Wilke, surrounded him with love and prayers. He was affectionately known as David or Dave, Daddy, PW (Papa Wilke), Papa, Great Papa, or Grandpa Dave.

David was born August 13, 1941, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin to Ramona Wolfe and William John Wilke. He was raised in Nekoosa, Wisconsin with his seven younger siblings.

In 1963, David met the love of his life Mary Ann. They exchanged their vows in the historic “Little Brown Church in the Vale” in Nashua, Iowa on April 17, 1965, and moved to Jackson, Mississippi where they raised two children and spent the next 59 years building what many would call the American dream. In 1996, they built their forever home in Brandon, Mississippi where they would reside and create cherished memories for the next 28 years.

A true American patriot; David loved America, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and Nascar. He enjoyed visiting family in Wisconsin, camping, and traveling, especially when making a trip to Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains. A motorcycle ride on his Harley was always a special trip with his bride riding along in the side car. He looked forward to regularly attending the Brandon (Barnyard) Opry where he would listen to southern gospel and sometimes dance to classic country music. He found joy in making others laugh and never ceased to entertain all with a sly joke or magic trick always up his sleeve. His German Shepherd dogs were always close by when he would sit on the porch taking in the beautiful nature surrounding his home. David took great pride in the family he created and wouldn’t pass on an opportunity to tell others about his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and their accomplishments.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Wilke; son, Jeff Wilke (Tricia); daughter, Jenny Woodard (Chris “Biskit”); daughter-in-law, Cindy Dahlman; sisters, Ramona Falkner, Christine Zurfluh, Susan Straub, Mary Jane Pagel, Cindy Zurfluh, Anne Arendt; brother, Michael Zurfluh; grandchildren, Linda Wegner (Jeff), Amanda Dahlman (Tony), Travis Dahlman (Hannah), Jenna Marsh (Wesley), Janie Gaddy (Dalton), Jonathan Woodard, Morgan Wilmoth (Dakota); and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, William John Wilke and Ramona Wolfe Zurfluh; and son, John Dahlman.

 The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.  Service dates and times will be updated soon.