Andrew J. “Andy” Wilke, 87 of St. Rose, died Friday, September 30, 2011 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. 

Mr. Wilke was born May 24, 1924 in St. Rose to Stephen and Mary (Tebbe) Wilke; they preceded him in death. 

Also preceded in death by a sister, Sr. Henrietta Wilke, OLVM; a brother (in infancy), Raymond Wilke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Catherine (Richter) Eilers; a sister-in-law, Helen Winkler; and brothers-in-law, Frank Kluemke and Fritz Wesselmann. 

He married Cecilia Eilers on October 30, 1965 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese; she survives in St. Rose. 

Also surviving are his children, Sharon (Robert) Otrembiak of Germantown, Lisa (fiancé Russ Riebold) Wilke of St. Jacob, Rita (Jim) Lewis of Carlyle, and Ed Wilke of St, Rose; a step-granddaughter, Mary Helen Otrembiak; sisters, Sr. Martha Wilke, OLVM and Sr. Priscilla Wilke, OLVM both of Huntington, IN, Mary Ann (Cletus) Hempen of St. Rose, Bertha Kluemke of Breese, and Irma (Herb) Korte of Highland; sisters-in-law, Clara Wesselmann of Breese and Sr. Monica Eilers, SSND of Canton, MS; a brother-in-law, Joseph Winkler of Germantown; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Andy retired as a dairy farmer and self-employed brick layer.  He enjoyed playing euchre, cutting wood, and going to auctions.  

He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and Men’s Sodality, St. Rose Senior Citizens, Retired Volunteer St. Rose Fireman, Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869, and St. Rose Development Club. 

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2:00 PM at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose with Fr. Edward Schaefer officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery. 

Visitation will be Monday, October 3, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

Memorials can be made to Child Charitable Counseling, Mater Dei High School, or St. Rose Church Building Fund and will be received at the funeral home. 

The Breese Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary at 7:00PM Monday evening at the funeral home.