MENDOTA - Robert August Wilhelm, 93, of Mendota passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2022 at Heritage Health, Mendota surrounded by family.

Private family-only services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Ken Gibson officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota assisted the family.

Robert was born Jan. 12, 1929 in Mendota to Alice H. (Stamberger) and George F. Wilhelm. He married Jeanne E.K. Reid on July 1, 1951 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota. She preceded him in death on Jan. 14, 2005.

Survivors include four children, Peggie Reddick and Roberta Wendel of Mendota, Cyndie (Charles) Phillippe of Kissimmee, Fla. and Stephen Wilhelm of Austin, Texas; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joyce (Loren) Shaw of Markesan, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his wife; a twin sister at birth; and a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Warren Carlson.

Robert was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran, Mendota on April 18, 1943 and graduated from Mendota High School in 1947. He worked with his father on the family farm growing crops, raising livestock and fowl, milking cows and keeping the apple orchard. In order to supplement his income, he worked at the Star Gas Station from 1955 until 1960. He then worked at Wayside Press until his retirement at the age of 65. He maintained a very large garden on the family homestead until his mid 80s, for which he received a garden-of-the-month award. He volunteered at Pads and Green Wing Bible Camp. He enjoyed bike riding to-and-from work as well as all over the countryside collecting cans, doing his part for the environment. The library was his favorite destination. Nothing was more important to him than his family and church, often wondering how he ever had enough time to work with all the things he did during his retirement. He enjoyed reading history, biographies and what was new in science, as well as working Sudoku and picture puzzles. He was enthusiastic about Mendota High School sports, college football, especially the Big Ten and his favorite team Notre Dame. He also followed professional sports, especially the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He loved going to the high school band concerts and plays. He encouraged his family to learn about other cultures and localities, never missing a single travelogue when the Rotary Club hosted them at the high school.

Memorials may be sent to Mendota St. John’s Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, Graves-Hume Public Library, or the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.