Roger Eugene Jilk was born Jan. 2, 1945, to Joseph and Luella Jilk in Tampa, Fla. The family moved to rural Ellsworth, Wis. and then to a different location outside of Ellsworth, where the family was raised. Roger was 6 years old.
Roger grew up with both parents and his siblings, Judy, Barb, Shirley, Donald, Steven, and Tom. The oldest five children attended Fisher School through the eighth grade and Ellsworth High School the remaining years, while Steve and Tom only attended Ellsworth High School.
Farm life was busy and there was always something to do. In high school, Roger was on the wrestling team and football team. A late bus dropped him off almost a mile from home after wrestling. Roger enjoyed gardening and there was a garden each year.
After graduating from high school, his first job was a roofing job with his uncle, Fred Detert. While working with his uncle in the Twin Cities, he met his future wife, Shirleen Holcomb. Roger’s uncle had to encourage him to go and talk with her.
They were married on June 6, 1964, and welcomed four children, Carol Anita, Bonnie Jean, Jeffrey John, and Jeramie Joseph.
Roger worked for many years with Whirlpool and followed up with many years at USG, where he retired from. He also worked odd jobs during tough times to provide for his family. Roger and Shirleen instilled religious beliefs and values in their children. Roger also instilled in his children a love for family, camping and fishing, among other things.
Roger passed away after a lengthy battle from a stroke, that brought on many difficulties for his health. He passed away on Nov. 10, 2022, at Cumberland Care
and Rehab.
Roger was preceded in death by newborn, infant twin brothers, mother Luella, father Joseph, brother-in-law George (Judy) Kuzma and brother-in-law Bill (Shirley) Newhart.
He is survived by his wife, Shirleen; children, Carol (Tyler) Buck, Bonnie Jilk, Jeff Jilk, and Jeramie (Amy) Jilk; grandchildren Dustin (Kara) Chilson, Corey (Abby) Chilson, Bradley (Kadie) Chilson, Haley Chilson, Elizabeth Jilk, Andrew Jilk, Danielle Jilk and Cody Johnson; great granddaughters Kiara Chilson and Delaney Chilson. He is also survived by siblings; Judy Kuzma, Shirley Newhart, Barb (John) Norquist, Donald (Stella) Jilk, Steve (Pam) Jilk, and Tom (Paula) Jilk.
He will be always in our hearts and greatly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth on Tuesday Nov. 15, 2022, at noon with a visitation starting at 11 a.m.
A visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Ellsworth.
Services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Wis.
