Thursday, December 3, 2009

Arthur Ray Wilks

Arthur ‘Art’ Ray Wilks, 50, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2009. He was born in Milwaukee on April 5, 1959, the son of John and Agnes (nee: Traweek) Wilks. Art was educated in Kenosha schools and is a graduate of Bradford High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps. Art was a supporter/contributor of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Racine; also Women and Children Horizons of Kenosha.

Art was a hair stylist for 20 years at Hair Crafters of Kenosha. He enjoyed gardening, always looked forward to his never-ending remodeling projects and was a motorcycle enthusiast. Most of all he enjoyed entertaining and having parties with his friends.

Art is survived by his life partner, Bob Marques of Racine; children, Beth (Danny) Erickson of Tomah and Aimen Garro of IL; two granddaughters, Ariel and Katie; three grandsons, Damion, Dannie and Sebastian; brothers and sisters, Jane (Daryl) LaPlant of northern, WI, John Wilks, Judy (Ed) Lang all of Altoona, George Wilks of CA and Mike Wilks of Racine. Art is also survived by special nieces and nephews, Shelly Raeburn, Jennifer (Jimmy) Thompson, Cody, Katie and Rhiannon, John W. III, Steven, David and Nicklaus; Bob’s mother, Mary Marques of Racine; Bob’s brother, Brian Marques of Sturtevant and his daughter Sarah Marques; special cousin, Carol Sherwood of Fenton, MI; dear friends, Loretta (Mike) Maze of Kenosha.

He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many dear friends in Racine and Kenosha. In addition, Art will be dearly missed by his furry friends, Casper and Dustin.

Services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday before services from 10 a.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Bob would be greatly appreciated.

A very special thank you to the gang at O & H Bakery and all our supportive family and friends during this most difficult time.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine 262 632-4479

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Art will be turely missed by all who knew him. He had a heart as big as Texas! Lots of fun to be around. He always wanted to dye my hair, now I wished I'd let him.
We are here if you need us.
Love
Orville & Sarah Mills
Ashland, Alabama

Anonymous said...

Art I will miss you FOREVER. Bob and Mary I Love You both very much and I am ALWAYS here for you.

Love Kathie Cottonaro
Racine, WI

Anonymous said...

Art, you were always a good friend to me, ever sense I was little. I am so sorry that our time together was cut short, but I know some day we will meet again beyond the grave. Thanks so much for being the cool, caring, non-judgmental, loving guy you've always been. Rest in peace and Blessed Be my dear friend, you will always be missed.

Nick!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunatly, my family and I just learned of your passing. None of us could believe it. You will be so SO missed. We love you! I think we first met you when I was about 8, and here 20 years later we have all only let you cut our hair! I am so glad we got to come see you one last time. It seems like just yesterday! We love you Art!