John Richard Wilker, 83, formerly of Marcella Avenue, Pittsfield, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at Craneville Place of Dalton.

Born in Pittsfield on June 8, 1934, the son of John Kenneth and Myrtle Hemmenway Wilker, he was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1954 graduate of Pittsfield High School.

Being mechanically inclined, Mr. Wilker skill to use as a machine operator in various employment operations, including Eaton Paper Company where he worked for 20 years, the Pittsfield Drive-In, E.D. Jones, Massachusetts Highway Department and he was owner operator of D.V.M. Janitorial and Maintenance Service, memory lane video productions and owned a gas station.

Mr. Wilker was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

He enjoyed roller skating, bowling, fishing, and turkey shoots, CB radios, and painting houses, as well as traveling to Cape Cod and playing cards on Saturday nights.

Mr. Wilker leaves his wife, the former Maureen Ploss, whom he married August 4, 1962.

He is also survived by two sons, William A. Robitaille (wife Colleen) of Pittsfield, and John K. Wilker (wife Lauria) of Pittsfield; a daughter, Suzanne M. White (husband Joseph) of

Pittsfield; a sister, Evelyn Pielock (husband John) of Pittsfield; eight grandchildren, Valerie

Pellerin, Jennifer Robitaille, Matthew Robitaille, John K. Wilker, Jr., Melissa Wilker, Nathan

White, Kira White, and Michael Passier; and four great grandchildren, William Pellerin,

Athena Passier, Michael Passier, Jr., and Jasper

FUNERAL NOTICE:

Funeral services for John Richard Wilker will be held Saturday, July 8, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Joseph Farnes ,Assistant Rector, officiating. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at DERY FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

In care of the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.