Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 11/14/2022 O'Connell Family Funeral Home 130 North Grant St. Ellsworth Wisconsin, 54011
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 11/14/2022 O'Connell Family Funeral Home 130 North Grant St. Ellsworth Wisconsin, 54011
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 11/15/2022 St. Francis of Assisi of Ellsworth, WI 264 South Grant Street Ellsworth WI,
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 11/15/2022 St. Francis of Assisi of Ellsworth, WI 264 South Grant Street Ellsworth WI,
Roger Eugene Jilk was born January 2, 1945, to Joseph and Luella Jilk in Tampa, Florida. The family moved to rural Ellsworth, Wisconsin and then to a different location outside of Ellsworth, Wisconsin where the family was raised. Roger was 6 years old.
Roger grew up with both parents and his siblings, Judy, Barbara, Shirley, Donald, Steven and Tom. The oldest 5 children attended Fisher School through the 8th 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 November 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, brother-in-law Bill (Shirley) Newhart, and sister-in-law Susan Jilk
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, Delaney Chilson, Devon Livingston and Bella Hill. He is also survived by siblings; Judy Kuzma, Barbara (John) Norquist, Shirley Newhart, Donald (Stella) Jilk, Steven (Pam) Jilk, and Tom (Paula) Jilk.
He will be always in our hearts and greatly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on Tuesday November 15, 2022 at 12:00pm with a visitation starting at 11:00am.
A visitation will be on Monday, November 14, 2022 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Ellsworth, Wisconsin from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Wisconsin.
This service will be live streamed –> Roger Jilk Livestream
My condolences to the Family and friends of Roger. May he rest in peace. I basically remember Roger at the Fischer grade school. I was 4 years older. We met a few times as the years went by. I’m sure he will be missed by all .
The Jilk Family
My sincere condolences to the family in the loss of your beloved Brother Roger, I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago when I went home to the farm with Judy in the 60’s. A very nice fellow and had a great visit with him and your Family. Now he is with the Lord and at Peace and he will be sorely missed.
Margaret Riley
Hadley, Ma.
Deepest sympathy!
Love & Light,
The Berlyn Howe family
Condolences to Shirleen and children. A long time neighbor from Waverly