William “Bill” J. Wiltzius
WELLS, MI. – William (Bill) James Wiltzius, 88, of Negaunee, formerly of Wells, passed away on July 19, 2015 at Eastwood Nursing Home in Negaunee where he had lived for the past 16 months.
He was born on October 12, 1926 at Chemical Plant Location, Gladstone, the son of the late Joseph and Esther (Olson) Wiltzius, Sr. On August 10, 1949 he married Leola Ann Lancour at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Escanaba.
For most of his life, William lived in Wells, moving to Marquette in September 2011 to be close to his daughter and son-in-law where he lived at Lost Creek Apartments before moving to Eastwood Nursing Center with his wife, Leola in January 2014.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Pamela (Kim) Erickson of Marquette, and grandchildren, Nathan (Amelia) Erickson of Austin, Texas and Elizabeth Erickson of San Diego, California; his brother Joseph (Butch) Wiltzius Jr. of Escanaba and his sisters, Ruth Sovey of Escanaba and Florence (Flossie) Vandeville of Cape Coral, Florida.
He was preceded in death on April 9, 2015 by his wife of 65 years, Leola Ann Lancour. His brothers, Fredrick and George, his sisters, Mary Auger, Evelyn Dumas, Alice Vanderlinden, Edna Carter, and Irene Gorenchan.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Allo Coolman Funeral Home, 400 South 10th Street, Escanaba with Delta County Veterans Council Rites at 5:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial for William Wiltzius will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24th at St. Antony of Padua Parish, 6596 N. 3rd St., Wells with Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Burial will take place following the luncheon in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.
Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.
His family especially thanks the caring and compassionate staff at Eastwood Nursing Home and Dr. Catherine Kroll for taking such wonderful care of him during these past 16 months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials made be directed to the Honor Flight, c/o Community Foundation for The Upper Peninsula, 2420 1st Ave South Suite 101, Escanaba, MI 49829; St. Anthony Parish, 6596 N. 3rd St, Wells, MI 49829 or St. Michael Parish, 401 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.