Earl Wilhelmi

Earl F. Wilhelmi, age 87 of Colby, was called to Heaven on April 8, 2026, at House of the Dove in Marshfield. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. The Rev. James Groleau will preside. Please join the family at the church from 9 a.m. until time of the service. Military honors provided by the Dorchester American Legion Post #517. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements. He was born on April 18, 1938 in Shawano County, to the late Fred and Emelia (Lindstedt) Wilhelmi. Growing up he worked on area farms, a cheese factory and was the projectionist at the Abby Theatre. He excelled in high school sports and was also the prom king. He graduated from Abbotsford High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CVA 61, attached to VA-94 “The Mighty Shrikes” fighter squadron. He was a plane captain and spent much of his time on the flight deck. He served from 1959-1963 and separated from service with a rank of Aviation Machinist’s Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) Petty Officer 2nd Class (ADJ2). Earl received the Good Conduct Medal and was also honorably discharged. Earl was united in marriage to Carol Wiersig on August 8, 1964, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. He was employed at Packaging Corporation of America for 37 years and retired in 2001. Earl loved to be outside tilling and tending their huge garden, mowing lawn, blowing snow and feeding the wild birds. He frequently shared garden goodies with family and friends. He constructed amazing net structures to protect his beautiful blueberry shrubs from the birds. Helping our neighbors collect maple sap brought him immense joy. He also planted trees in another neighbor’s hollow, which they now call Earl’s woods. Sunday was always popcorn night. Earl enjoyed a life-long passion with golf, but insisted on always walking the course. He enjoyed jogging and frequently ran a square mile around the neighborhood and even entered some 5k races. When his son Eric took on poultry as a 4-H project, Earl became an expert at raising and hatching show birds. He became the poultry superintendent at the Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau for 10 years. He also became a poultry judge at area fairs and enjoyed teaching the 4-H youth. He volunteered at the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield to help the poultry superintendent. Earl earned The American Poultry Association, Inc. Master Exhibitor Award in 2010, which he pursued in honor of his son Eric, who passed in 2002. In 2014, he was awarded a plaque for his years of service with the West Central Wisconsin Pigeon and Poultry Club. During those years, he attended numerous poultry shows, while winning many trophies and awards, including the Wisconsin International Poultry Club Grand Champion once. Earl was a huge supporter of the local high school athletes and frequently attended football and basketball games as well as track and cross country events. He was known as the “Grandpa Coach” for the Colby Cross Country team. He was passionate about helping maintain the cross country trail in the school forest, and also assisted during track and field season. He cherished the friends he made over the years at these events. Survivors include his wife, Carol and daughter, Amy (James Clark) of Colby; and sister, Shirley Luehrs of Plover. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Wilhelmi; his parents; brother, Walter Wilhelmi, sister, Arlene Sternhagen, and brother, Kenneth Wilhelmi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Clark County Humane Society in Neillsville or House of the Dove in Marshfield. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.