Heinrich 'Henry' Dilk

RACINE-Heinrich 'Henry' Dilk, 74, surrounded by his loving family, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2010, at home. Heinrich was born in Gnidawa, Kreis Luzk, Poland on June 7, 1936 to Johann and Katharina (nee: Konrad) Dilk. On February 10, 1944, at the age of seven Heinrich lost his dad who served in the German army and was killed on the Russian front. At the age of 14, Heinrich began to learn the welding trade, completing three years of instruction at age 17. He emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1954 at the age of 18 and worked to pay the voyage for his mother and three younger siblings. On July 28, 1962 in Racine, WI, he was united in marriage to Helene Dinda at the German Church of God in Racine, WI. Heinrich was employed by Young Radiator Company for 29 years as a welder, retiring in 1998. He enjoyed fishing, bow and rifle hunting, gardening, traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada, and spending time at their trailer in northern Wisconsin. Heinrich especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He liked discussing history, politics, and world events. Heinrich attended the German Church of God, where he was the Treasurer and a Board Member. Over the last five years he attended the First Church of God on Lathrop Avenue. He was a kind and humble person, who was deeply devoted to God and his family and will be sadly missed. Heinrich is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Helene; their children, Karin (Werner) Kant and Rita (John) Peters; four grandchildren, Katharina Kant, Zachary Kant, Joshua Peters, and Lukas Peters, all of Racine; a brother Alfred Dilk of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada; a sister, Erika (Leonard) Braun of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, brother-in-law, Adolf Kottke, brother-in law, Jerry Dinda, and sister-in-law, Irmgaard Dinda; sister-in-law, Charlotte Dinda; nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johann and Katharina Dilk, his brother Jakob Dilk, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Katharina and August Dinda, and sister-in-law, Gertrude Kottke. Funeral services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until service at 10:30 a.m. Pastor David Andrews of First Church of God will be officiating. Heinrich will be laid to rest at West Lawn Memorial Park following services.

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Heinrich 'Henry' Dilk

June 7, 1936 - December 17, 2010