Timothy K. Spilker

SPILKER, TIMOTHY K.
Racine - Pastor Timothy K. Spilker, 62, passed away at Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee on Monday, April 30, 2007 after fighting pancreatic cancer for almost two years. Tim was born in Plymouth, WI on February 10, 1945 to Louis and Dorothy (nee, Schoening) Spilker. He married Bonnie K. Pieters and would have celebrated their 38th year of marriage this August 9th. Tim received his Bachelor's from Valparaiso University and subsequently graduated with his Master's from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL. He served the Lord through his ministries in New Jersey, California, Wisconsin and most recently at Peace Lutheran Church in Racine. Tim was an avid golfer and sports fan especially of the Valparaiso Crusaders and Green Bay Packers. Tim loved to sing and play his guitar, and he wrote numerous songs and liturgies. Tim was a creative and talented artist, an eloquent writer and gifted teacher with a witty sense of humor. Most of all, Tim was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. This wise, patient, compassionate man lived his life through his motto "Trust God and love people." Our dear Tim is survived by his wife, Bonnie K. Spilker; daughters, Stephanie (Eduardo) Guzman and Kimberly (Fianc, Scott Medwar) Spilker; grandson, Lucas Timothy Guzman; sisters, Joyous (Donald) Block and LuEva (Gerald) Daniel; sisters-in-law, Ellen Spilker and Marcia (nee, Spilker) Gruenhagen; and his closest friend, John Schaefer. Tim is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, James Spilker and Thomas Spilker, and his sister Marilyn Spilker Rostek. Funeral services for Tim will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 1619 N. Newman Road, on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ferdinand O. Bahr officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Wednesday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. and on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry or Peace Lutheran Church. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Rubina Qamar and her nurses and to the staff of Season's Hospice and Columbia St. Mary's Hospice for their loving care of Tim. Gracious thanks for all the prayers and thoughts from family and friends. Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory 3915 Douglas Avenue Racine, WI 53402 (262) 639-8000 www.purath-strand.com Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com