Warren E. Wilterdink

1931 - 2016

Warren E. Wilterdink, 84, of Sheboygan, and formerly of the Town of Lima left this earth and entered into his heavenly home on Sunday morning, June 5, 2016 while at Pine Haven Residential Home in Sheboygan Falls where he had resided for the past seven months.

Warren was born on June 19, 1931 in the Town of Lima, the seventh of eight children born to Edward and Bertha (Hoftiezer) Wilterdink. He attended Horace Mann Grade School in the Town of Lima and Oostburg High School. On October 27, 1950 he married Kathryn "Katie" Brill in Oostburg. Together, he and Katie farmed near Hingham and raised their six children there, Mark, Bruce, Gloria, Larry, Mary and Keith. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage before Katie preceded him in death on September 19, 1998. On July 8, 2000 Warren married Mary (Pitsch) Bethke in Sheboygan.

Warren was a dairy farmer in the Town of Lima for many years. He co-owned Droppers and Wilterdink Auction Service for 33 years until 2006, and worked as a bus driver for Otte Bus Service, Waldo Canning Factory and Ongna Wood Products.

Warren was a faithful member at Hingham Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, elder, usher and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a member of the Sheboygan County Farm Bureau, the Old Timers Pony Club and was a 4-H leader and Campus Life volunteer. He enjoyed the Sheboygan County Fair, ponies, fast pitch softball, basketball, baseball, and attending his grandchildren's activities. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan since the age of nine and thinks "this could be the year"! Warren always looked forward to the last Sunday of the month for family get-togethers.

Warren is survived by his wife, Mary of Sheboygan Falls; two daughters, Gloria (Glen) TeLindert of Oostburg and Mary (Randy) Reklaitis of Sheboygan; four sons, Mark (Kathy) Wilterdink of Sheboygan Falls, Rev. Bruce (Naomi) Wilterdink of Beloit, Larry (Jan) Wilterdink of Hingham, and Keith (Colli) Wilterdink of Oostburg; 15 grandchildren, Mike, Eric (Sarah), and Matt Wilterdink, Lori (Jeremy) Schaub, Jean Wilterdink, Jessica (Jose') Alvarez, Dave (Macrae) and Greg (Jenny) TeLindert, Carla (Jeremy) Schmidt, Sherri (Jake) Nelson, Tom Wilterdink, Tanner and Jared Reklaitis, Justin (Alyssa) and Brant (fiancé Maddy) Wilterdink; 10 great grandchildren, with two more to arrive soon; one brother-in-law, Delmar Hoopman of Plymouth; two step daughters, Deb Runge of Haiti and Ann (Dave) Moreau of Sheboygan; two step sons, Fred Bethke of Kiel and Robert (Doris) Bethke of Green Bay; nine step grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Katie; a daughter-in-law, Mary (Buehler) Wilterdink; two sisters, Clara Hoopman and Ruth Grunow; and five brothers, Harold (Corrine), Arthur (Helen), Lloyd (Marie), Marvin (Dorothy), and Roland (Judy) Wilterdink.

A funeral to celebrate Warren's life will take place at the Hingham Reformed Church on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 11 am with the Revs. Bruce Wilterdink and Steven Bakker officiating.

Family and friends will gather at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg on Wednesday from 4-8 pm, and on Thursday, at church, from 10 am until the time of the service.

Warren had a keen sense of humor and loved telling a good story to anyone with a listening ear. Warren often said he disliked the color black, and hoped people wouldn't wear black to his funeral. In celebration of his life, please join us in wearing bright and colorful clothing.

Warren's family would like to thank the amazing staffs of the Pine Haven Residential Home and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their compassionate care. Special thanks go to Big Jim and Steve Hendrikse for their special friendship. You are angels on earth.

A memorial fund is being established in his memory for Campus Life, Pine Haven Christian Communities and the Hingham Reformed Church.

For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com