William J. Wilker

William J. Wilker, age 72 of North Star, Ohio, died Thursday, October 15, 2026, at EverHeart Hospice Care Center in Greenville. He was born February 8, 1954, in Coldwater, Ohio to the late Martin J. Sr. & Madonna (Rammel) Wilker. On April 16, 1977, he married Marlene (Bergman) Wilker. Bill and Marlene were married for over 49 years, and she survives at their home in North Star.

Bill is also survived by two sons and their wives, Travis & Carolyn Wilker of North Star, and Lee & Lauren Wilker of New Weston, as well as 11 grandchildren: Ethan, Maxwell, Abigail, Wyatt, Joel, Kyle, Emily, Marcus, Cecilia, Leona, James. He is also survived by siblings and in-laws: Esther & Tom Beyke of St. Henry, Eileen Wilker of Celina, Luke & Elaine Wilker of St. Henry, and Herb & Doris Wilker of St. Sebastian, and Bergman in-laws: Delores Bergman of Lebanon, Rosie Cooper of New Bremen, Butch Bergman of Ft. Loramie, Deb Bergman of Versailles, Jim & Linda Bergman of North Star, and Theresa Westbay of Huntsville.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by a brother, Martin Wilker Jr., and in-laws: Moe Bergman, Eugene Bergman, Dave Cooper, Jerry Bergman, Orville & Sarie Niekamp, and his father and mother-in-law, Andrew & Lucille Bergman.

Bill was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in North Star and the Holy Name Society at the church. He was also a member of the Versailles Knights of Columbus. Bill was a truck driver for over 40 years. He will be remembered for his witty one-liners, and for taking the “long-cut” around instead of a short cut.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at St. Louis Catholic Church, North Star. Following the funeral mass, burial will take place in St. Louis Cemetery near North Star. Friends may call from 2 to 7 PM on Monday, October 19, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry, and from 9 to 10 AM on Tuesday, October 20, at St. Louis Catholic Church. Those wishing to honor Bill’s life may consider making a memorial contribution to the Cancer Association of Darke County, or to EverHeart Hospice. Condolences for the family may be expressed in person or online at hogenkampfh.com.