John "Jack" L. Wilkie, age 79, of Monroe, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Wellspring Lutheran Services.
Jack was born June 16, 1942 in Monroe, he was the son of Russell and Hulda (Bruck) Wilkie. He married Paulette A. Congdon December 30, 1961.
As a youngster Jack roamed the River Raisin trapping muskrats and selling the pelts.
He was an avid hunter and collector of duck and fish decoys. Jack was well known throughout the Midwest for his knowledge of old duck decoys especially Ed "One Arm" Kellie decoys from Monroe. He was a member of the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association and North American Decoy Collectors Association.
Jack was a 1960 graduate of Monroe Catholic Central High School and a member of St. Mary Church. He also spent many years volunteering as a girl's CYO softball coach for St. Mary's Grade School.
He worked at Ford Motor Company Monroe Plant from 1964 until his retirement in 2004.
Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years Paulette Wilkie of Monroe; four children, Lisa (Joseph) McLaughlin of Monroe, Marc Wilkie of Kings Beach, CA, Michael Wilkie of Savannah, GA and Jaclyn Barrett of Monroe; a brother Thomas (Helen) Wilkie of Riverview; ten grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan) Bennett, Jessica (Adam) MacIver, Shannon (Jessie) Johnson, Alex (McKenzie) McLaughlin, Philip Wilkie, Miranda (Calvin) McShane, Dante Wilkie, Leah Barrett, Jack Barrett and Evan Barrett and five great grandchildren, Aubrey Wilkie, Ziya Johnson, Elliot MacIver, Zuri Johnson and Brooke Bennett; brothers and sisters in law, Rob (Shannon) Congdon and Suzie (Randy Garitty) Congdon; several nieces and nephews and their families.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Wilkie.
Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe with a memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. Deacon Michael Stewart will officiate.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .