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Wilbert H. Fink

December 30, 1925 - October 24, 2014
Vicksburg, MI

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Visitation

Monday, October 27, 2014
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Visitation

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
9420 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002

Service

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
9420 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church
9420 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002

Lutheran Social Services of Michigan c/o Children and Family Services
4341 S. Westnedge Ste. 2000
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

VanderSalm's Flipse
1120 S. Burdick
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(800) 232-7134
Driving Directions
Web Site

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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A man of honor, integrity, and sound moral principle, Wilbert Fink was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was never one to worry about the things of this world, rather, his focus continually was on that which is eternal and his life exemplified what it means to be a servant of the Lord he loved. Second only to his faith was the love that Wilbert had for his family which grew to include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were his greatest source of pride and joy. In everything he did, Wilbert worked hard and completed each and every task to the best of his ability. He was never one to take the easy way out of anything. A man of many passions, he enjoyed so many of the best things that life had to offer with his true love by his side. Although Wilbert will be deeply missed, his timeless legacy will continue on in the lives of all those who follow in his footsteps.

It seems only fitting that Wilbert’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. The Roaring Twenties were deeply rooted in innovative discoveries that brought us conveniences such as the washing machine and refrigerator. This was the decade that Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh soared through the clouds while legends Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball America’s favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1925 when Walter and Edna (Harre) Fink were filled with unspeakable joy to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on December 30th, in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. The oldest child in his family, Wilbert Harry was raised on the family farm in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, alongside his sisters, Doris and Eileen, and his brothers, Marvin and LeRoy.

In many ways Wilbert experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of the time. As is often the case, farming was a family affair for the Finks. Wilbert worked the family farm, which included plowing the fields with horses for many years. When his father died, Wilbert and his family were able to keep the farm going, and to this day the area they farmed is called Fink Farms.

As a young man, Wilbert decided he had had more than enough of working with horses. He was beyond excited to buy his first tractor for the farm, and never looked back as he quickly developed a love for farm equipment. Wilbert spent some time working for Willys Overland and later as the farm manager for Avalon Farms in Climax. He went on to become co-owner of the International Harvester dealership in Grand Haven before moving to Harre & Fink, which later became Farmland Equipment. Wilbert was a gifted salesman, and it is said he could sell snow to an eskimo, but he also enjoyed his work. He had not only had his fill of horses but enough of milking cows for so many years as well. Working in equipment sales allowed Wilbert to use what he knew to do something he loved - and make a living at it, too.

While Wilbert was working his way into the career he loved, he was introduced to the young woman with whom he would write a love story that would span 66 years. Her name was Joyce Jacobs, and they met at a local dance hall. Wilbert was smitten with her right from the start, and they became fast friends. It wasn’t long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Wilbert and Joyce were united in marriage on September 24, 1948, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake.

The newlyweds settled in Vicksburg in 1953 where they raised their family that grew to include five children: Jolaine, William, Dale, Robert, and Elaine.

Always working with his hands, Wilbert built several homes for his family. Once he had the house finished and Joyce had it decorated just the way she liked it, he sold the house and started all over again. This went on several times until Joyce finally put an end to it, and they permanently settled into their house on East VW Avenue.

After working in his career for 27 years, Wilbert purchased and maintained both Sun Meadows and Sunshine Garden Apartments on VW Avenue. He wanted the senior citizens in Vicksburg to be able to remain in their community and have a place where they could enjoy the rural setting with nature trails, gardens, three-hole golf course and fishing ponds. He remained a farmer at heart and began his own gardens which continued to grow throughout the years, not only feeding his family and friends but feeding his love of the land.

Throughout Wilbert’s life his faith was a cornerstone. He was always active within the Lutheran church and was a longtime member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Portage Road. In fact, Wilbert helped build the church as well as the wooden cross that still hangs inside. Over the years he was involved with numerous committees.

In addition to being involved in his community through his church, Wilbert kept busy in other ways outside of work. He was an active part of the Kalamazoo County 4-H Program, and also enjoyed fishing and hunting. In addition to building homes, Wilbert was good with woodworking and he made various things in addition to wooden toys for his grandchildren. For several years he and Joyce spent a few months during the winter in New Port Richey, Florida.

Outgoing, hardworking, and fun-loving, are just a few of the words that describe Wilbert Fink. He was the sort of person who could talk to anyone, and he had a way of making others feel at ease. Wilbert lived with enthusiasm and fervor that were contagious to all who were near. He tactfully spoke his mind with great passion and deeply loved his family. Even as his health declined his faith never wavered, and he felt God’s personal presence as his constant companion. Wilbert will never be forgotten.

Wilbert H. Fink, of Vicksburg, died on October 24, 2014 at his home. Wilbert’s family includes his wife, Joyce; children, Jolaine (Dave) Snyder, Rev. William (Candice) Fink, Dale (Debra) Fink, Robert (Renee) Fink, and Elaine (Brad) Burdge; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marvin Fink, Leroy (Barbara) Fink, and Eileen (Ken) Mitchell as well as many other relatives. Wilbert was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Fisher. Visit with his family on Monday October 27th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main Street. Also visit on Tuesday October 28th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church; 9420 Portage Road, Portage where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Please visit Wilbert’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory and sign his guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church or Lutheran Social Services.

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