James W. Wilker, 80, Bendix Retiree

He was born October 29, 1921 in Amherst and had been a resident of Lorain for 56 years prior to relocating to Amherst Township 15 months ago.

Mr. Wilker attended Marion L. Steele High School and went on to serve in the United States Merchant Marines. He later served as a private first class with the United States Army during World War II.

He was employed as a machine operator for the Bendix Corporation of Elyria and retired in 1982 following almost thirty years of service with the company.

A parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, he was a member of Amherst Eagles Aerie #1442, Elmer Johnson Post #118 of the American Legion, United Polish Club of Lorain, Italian American Veterans Post #1, Mullen-Murray VFW Post 451 and the Senior Citizens of Amherst (S.C.O.A.). An accomplished handyman and lover of the outdoors, his hobbies included skiing, boating, motorcycling and go-carting.

He is survived by his daughters: Mrs. Dale (Virginia) Metzger of Lorain, and Mrs. Tom (Jamie) Kennedy of Amherst Township along with three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille (nee Kudlo) in 1991 and by his parents, William and Nellie (nee Hammill) Wilker.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 1, 2002 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 2, 2002 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Joseph West, O.F.M. Conv. Pastor of St. Anthony will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain where military honors will be conducted by Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard.

The family requests memorial contributions in his memory to the Fr. Mario Ross Gymnasium, in care of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 East Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052.