WILKE, LEONARD JOSEPH

Leonard Joseph Wilke (94) was called home to the Lord on December 23, 2017. Leonard was born in Chicago on August 7, 1923. He served in the Navy during WWII, from 1944 to 1946. He moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1955 where he worked for Sperry Flight Systems for 30 years. Leonard liked the outdoors, golfing, fishing, swimming, walking, running (when he was young) as well as indoor card games and playing Scrabble with his wife Jeannine. He was a volunteer with the Sky Harbor Navigators for 11 years. Leonard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeannine, his brothers Steven, Florian and sister Lillian. Leonard leaves behind his older sister Theresa Cernak, 10 children: Susan, Andrea, Laura, Ted, Nic, Sam, Chris, Sandi, Deanna and Joy; 16 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. The family encourages wearing brightly colored Hawaiian shirts. On January 5, 2018, Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. with the Rosary prayer starting at 9:30 A.M. and the Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 A.M. at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 3424 N. 18th Avenue, Phoenix. Burial immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery at 9925 W. Thomas Road, Avondale. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.