Jasper E. Wilhelm

Jasper Ellard Wilhelm, a devoted family man with a lively sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye throughout his long life, died at the age of 92 on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Randolph, Ohio at the home of his son Terry, where he was being cared for by Terry's wife Kathy and other caregivers.

Jasper was born on December 19, 1918 in Randolph, Ohio to Sumner F. and Cora T. Wilhelm. The Wilhelm family, descendants of Jacob Wilhelm, who immigrated from southwest Germany around 1800, had been long-time residents of Marlboro and neighboring communities.

Although Jasper was born and died in Randolph, he spent most of his life in the Atwater community. He graduated from Atwater High School in 1937, where he met his future wife Margaret. He was often known to his family as Jap, and to some of his WWII navy buddies as Willie.

When his parents moved from a farm in Atwater to Wayland to begin a feed business, he lived with and did farm chores for the Fred and Ida Davis family in Atwater so he could finish school there, and most of all be near Margaret Hadinger, his sweetheart. Margaret said that the locations of the Davis farm and the Hadinger family's farm were such that when she saw the lights in the Davis barn go off in the evening, she knew that Jasper would soon be walking up to see her. They were married by Jasper's father on October 16, 1938.

From December 21, 1944 to March 2, 1946 he served in the U.S. navy in the Pacific with the 7th Fleet on USS PC-1132, mainly patrolling Manila Bay, Corregidor and Bataan. After leaving the service he remained in touch with his close navy friend, H.G. Unkenholz, Jr. ("Unk"), and his family, of Breckenridge, MN.

Jasper worked for Transue & Williams Stamping Co. in Alliance most of his life, except for a period of five years when he worked in Atwater as a pumping station operator for the Hanna Coal Company which had built the U.S.'s first pipeline to pump coal slurry from Cadiz, Ohio to Cleveland for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. Both Jasper and his brother Delson worked at the pumping station until the pipeline was shut down in the early 1960's. In their later years Jasper and Margaret had a pick-your-own strawberry business for 17 years that was enjoyed by many in the area.

Jasper and Margaret built two homes for their family, doing most of the structural work themselves.

He and Margaret often enjoyed square and ballroom dancing on Saturday nights. They got particular pleasure attending the large Wilhelm and Hadinger family reunions. After retirement they traveled in the U.S. and enjoyed two trips to Europe.

Jasper was a longstanding member of the Atwater Congregational Church where he served as Chairman of the Trustees for a number of years. He was actively involved in bringing about the restoration of the church which was originally completed in 1841 in the Gothic and Greek Revival styles.

He is survived by his sons James Wilhelm of New York City, Roger (Betty) Wilhelm, Terry (Kathy) Wilhelm, and daughter Barbara Marchand, all of Randolph, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jasper was preceded in death by his beloved wife Margaret in March 2010, his brothers Floyd and Delson, and his sisters Lucile, Mable and Edna.

Friends will be received Friday, March 4, 2011, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Funeral services will be held at the Atwater Congregational Church, 1237 State Route 183, Atwater, on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Marlboro Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Kathy Wilhelm, Ruth Davis, Cindy Porinchak and Jasper's many other loving and attentive caregivers.

(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)