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James G. "Jim" Wikel

1931 - 2014

James G. "Jim" Wikel obituary, 1931-2014, ORANGE , MA

BORN

1931

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Witty's Funeral Home

158 South Main Street

Orange, Massachusetts

James Wikel Obituary

ORANGE - James G. ""Jim"" Wikel, 82, of West River Street, died early Monday morning, Sept. 1, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
Born in Orange on Nov. 25, 1931, he was a son of the late H. Albert and Mary (MacKnight) Wikel and graduated from Orange High in 1949.
Jim enlisted into the United States Air Force on Aug. 2, 1950 and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 20, 1954.
On June 27, 1959, Jim married Margaret (Thrower) and they just celebrated their 55th anniversary this summer.
Jim had delivered ice, milk, oil, pumped gas, painted houses and worked at Ballou's Farm prior to joining the Air Force. Following his discharge from the service, Jim worked as a lineman for Mass Electric, now National Grid, until he retired in 1993, as the last red circle head lineman in Athol.
Jim was a 50-year member of Orange American Legion Post 172, a lifetime member of the Orange Gun Club, and a 50-year member of the Orange Central Congregational Church.
Jim loved to drive the car as well as going camping, especially with his kids and grandchildren. An avid card player, he enjoyed playing cribbage. Jim was also fond of sailing on his Sailfish and always had a joke for all occasions. Jim was also a collector of canes.
Survivors include his ""current"" wife of 55 years, Margaret Wikel of Orange; a daughter, Andrea Wikel Fiske and her husband, Keith, of Orange; a son, Spencer Wikel and his wife, Kimberley, of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Aleina Daniela Wikel and her fiance, Keegan Fair, of Michigan, Molly Bremner and her husband, Shad Wood, of New Salem, Lauren Olivia Wikel and Samuel James Wikel, both of Houston, TX; great grandchildren, Kyren Emery Fair of Michigan and Henry Bremner Wood of New Salem; stepsister, Enise Cromack and her husband, Les, of Montague; sister-in-law, Ann Carley of Orange, and a brother in law, Richard Swan of Orange; one nephew and four nieces.
Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his stepfather, Henry DeWolf; sister, Marie Swan; stepbrother, Richard DeWolf, and a nephew, Kurt Swan.
Because Jim preferred to dress casually, please honor him by doing the same for calling hours and the service.
Calling hours will be held on Sept. 12, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange.
A funeral service will be held on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at Witty's Funeral Home in Orange with the Rev. Dr. Megan Leary of the Orange Central Congregational Church officiating.
Interment, with military honors, will be in South Cemetery, Orange.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy or find directions online at: www.wittyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Recorder on Sep. 3, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for James Wikel

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3 Entries

Athol Retiree gathering 2013

Randy Wentworth

September 4, 2014

WAGEL Clambake 2013

Randy Wentworth

September 4, 2014

Looking over the old Mass Electric pictures

Randy Wentworth

September 4, 2014

I worked with Jim At Mass Electric's Athol office back in the 1990's. He did a fine job for the company and was a pleasure to work with.
I will miss seeing him at the WAGEL clambake and Athol retiree gatherings. Sad times for all of us.

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Memorial Events
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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Witty's Funeral Home

158 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364

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