- Willmer A. Wink, age 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at his home in Appleton. The eldest of nine children, Willmer was born on January 2, 1913 in the Town of Brillion, to the late Adolph and Clara (Timm) Wink. On July 22, 1939, Willmer was united in marriage to his wife of 65 years, Avis Collins; she preceded him in death in 2004. Willmer attended and graduated from Kaukauna High School, and then the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he played the clarinet in the marching band. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Appleton, and the Appleton Lions Club. Willmer worked his entire career as a chemist and researcher for the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton. He started working for the Institute on September 11, 1934, and continued his career for almost 60 years, continuing as a consultant following their move to Atlanta in 1989. Willmer authored and co-authored more than seventy technical publications and numerous patents. He was honored as a Tappi Fellow for his many contributions to the paper industry. An honorable, intelligent, independent man, he was proud of his family and German heritage. He lived his final days in the home he built in 1951.
Willmer is survived by his four children, Robert (Janice) Wink, Verona, Carol (Martin) Schultz, Chippewa Falls, Barbara (Warren) Lutz, Menasha, and Paul (Mary) Wink, Appleton; his grandchildren, Steven (Carrie) Wink, Waunakee, Jonathan Wink, Chicago, David (Ellen) Schultz, Williston, VT, Eric (Laurie) Schultz, Kasson, MN, Jeff (Annette) Lutz and Craig Lutz, Appleton, Jill (Brian) Adams, Two Rivers, and Dana (Ben) Kons, Appleton; great-grandchildren, Abbigail, Cambrie, and Lillie Wink, Waunakee, Jenna, Andrew, and Clara Schultz, Williston, VT, Christine, Paul, Rachel, Timothy, and Jonathan Schultz, Kasson, MN, Tyler, Danielle, and Greysen Lutz, Appleton, Alexandra, Autumn, and Amber Krizzizke, Two Rivers, and Leah Wink, Appleton. He is further survived by four siblings, in-laws, and many other relatives. He was further preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Rebecca Schultz, four siblings, and other relatives.
The Celebration of Life for Willmer will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at EMMANUEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 740 E. College Ave., Appleton, with Rev. Mark Geistharot officiating. Friends may call on Wednesday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton, will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Willmer's name may be made to Emmanuel United Methodist Church.
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1913 - 2011 (98 years)
Education - High School
