The Reverend Wesley Harold Wilkie passed away on January 25, 2020 surrounded by family in the comfort of his home. He was 81 years old.Wesley was born in Saginaw, Michigan on May 3, 1938. He was the older of two children of Harold and Irene (Rutkowsky) Wilkie. He was proceeded in death by his brother Richard. Wesley summarized his life and calling with the phrase “Education in a Christian Context”. A graduate of the original Detroit Lutheran High School in 1955, he then studied Theology at Valparaiso University and received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St Louis. Ordained in 1964, he joined the Theology Department of Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois now known as Concordia University Chicago. Responding to a request in 1968 he served Concordia College Selma, Alabama as Acting President and Academic Dean. From 1969-1971 he was a full time student at the University of Chicago pursuing his Ph.D. He returned to Concordia Teachers College-River Forest in 1971 -1974 as Dean of Chapel. Thereafter he taught Theology full time. In 1980-81 he was a visiting instructor at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. In 1990 he was appointed Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia River Forest. As his teaching responsibilities became focused on church history and world religions, he led various student groups to Jordan, Israel, Hong Kong, China and England. He and his wife Luann also enjoyed a four month sabbatical in Southeast Asia. He retired from full time teaching in 2003. Scholarly interests included exploring Easter Vigils in the Orthodox traditions and membership in the North American Academy of Ecumenists. He regularly attended the National Workshop on Church Unity. Wesley enjoyed the outdoors, he was an avid deer hunter and shared that passion with his son-in-law and grandson. He completed the first of two marathons while in London in 1981.
Wesley was married to Luann Stein in 1962. He and Luann were together until her death in 1994. They were blessed with two daughters, Diana and Lauren. In 1996, Wesley married Dorothy (Fischer). Together they enjoyed fishing and traveling in the United States and throughout the world. Dorothy and Wesley shared their faith as active members of Grace Lutheran Church and regularly attended the Bach Cantata Vespers services. Wesley lives on through his beloved wife Dorothy, daughters Diana (Rick) Buffie and Lauren (John Elser), Jon Fischer (Cathy Ryan) and Kathy (Jeff) Spies; grandchildren Jennifer, Brian (Sara), Karin, Kirsten, Jai, and Nina; great- grandchildren Ethan and Kallie. Wesley was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Luann, brother Richard and granddaughter Erin.
Memorials preferred to Concordia University Chicago, Valparaiso University and the Bach Cantata Vespers series at Grace Lutheran Church.