Marlyn "Dean" Wikowsky Obituary (1936

Marlyn "Dean" Wikowsky age 87. Born February 28th, 1936 in Cisco, Illinois. Died June 3rd, 2023 in Richmond Virginia from Parkinsons Disease. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Ernest F. Wikowsky and Ethel Fern Monroe, his stepmother Alta Wikowsky as well as his siblings Ruth Greeson, Virginia Wiseman, Betty Kiel, Shirley Pope, and Gene Wilson. Dean is survived by his Brother Ernest Fred Wikowsky Jr, his wife June Kurz Wikowsky, his children Jennifer Mangum (Paul), Peter Wikowsky (Rachel), Paul Wikowsky, Beth Lee (Byung Hun), Daniel Wikowsky (Jacque), and 10 grandchildren. Dean graduated from Maroa High school in 1954 and entered the US Army in the fall of 1954. Dean served 3 years in the Army as a clerk but was a member of the US Army Band playing trombone and singing Tenor. Following his Army service Dean attended a 2-year business school in Texas, then moved to Chicago, Illinois employed by F.W. Woolworth. Dean would spend his career in the retail industry rising from assistant to manager, then with the Ben Franklin company as a district and regional manager. He married June in 1964 and lived in Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Indiana, Iowa, again in Illinois, N. Carolina, back to Illinois, and finally Virginia where he retired in Richmond, Virginia after managing several Total craft stores there. Raising 5 children, Dean was a faithful church attendee and often times volunteer choir director. Dean was a true servant to the churches he attended with many volunteer roles. At his home church in North Run Baptist of Henrico, Va, Dean fed the church family weekly with Wednesday night dinners, led a Widows ministry group, taught Sunday school, served in the prison ministry, facilitated bible study groups, and remained active in mens groups, retreats, mission trips, and choir. Dean found his "opportunities" to help and serve those he came in contact with. We will miss his presence, his humor, his voice, his caring for others, and his sharing the "opportunities" with us. Graveside services will be 11 AM Friday, June 16th, 2023 at the Weldon Cemetery, with Pastor Jonathan Roberson officiating and military honors following. The family has entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Illinois with arrangements. Also, a memorial service is planned at North Run Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia 10 AM Saturday, July 8th, 2023. Memorials in Dean's honor may be directed the North Run Baptist Church or the Parkinson's Foundation https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?10243.donation=form1&df_id=10243&mfc_pref=T