He grew up in the Irvington neighborhood attending Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and then graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, WI. He continued his education at University of Notre Dame graduating in 1958. Following graduation, he married Patricia I. Mertz on June 28, 1958, and began working for his father’s company, F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company, Inc., eventually taking over the helm from his father as President until retiring in 2000. He was involved in many construction related organizations during his career, including Associated General Contractors (AGC), American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE), Top Notch and others related to the Indiana Union Construction Industry.
Tippy was a longtime member of Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, as well as a member of Kingsley Golf Club in Kingsley, Michigan. He enjoyed coaching CYO football and basketball for several years and received the CYO Monsignor Busald Award and CYO St. John Bosco Medal for his volunteer work and coaching.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia I. (Mertz) Wilhelm, his parents, sister Mary Ann Kenney, brothers Francis A. Wilhelm Jr., John J. Wilhelm, Lawrence A. Wilhelm, and Philip J. Wilhelm.
Survivors include his children Susanna M. McVey, Michele T. Brown (Kevin), Maureen M. TerBeek (Allen), Matthew G. Wilhelm, Michael G. Wilhelm (Jacqueline), Margaret I. Wheatley (Jack) and John A. Wilhelm (Carrie), thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, February 10th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, 2123 E. 71st Street; Indianapolis. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, February 11th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church; 7575 E. Holliday Dr E.; Indianapolis, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com for the Wilhelm family.
