John Richard Wilhelm

John Richard Wilhelm 86 of Greeley, CO passed away peacefully on Wednesday July 24, 2013 at Life Care Center of Greeley. J. Richard Wilhelm was born on April 19, 1927 on a farm northeast of Eaton, CO to John and Mary (Hartung) Wilhelm, German immigrants from Russia. Richard was a farmer all his working life, and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Eaton Local Beet Growers Association for several years. He was very proud to have been in the Eaton High Ten several times during his farming career. During his retirement years, he and his wife Liz spent their time fishing, and traveling in their 5th wheel. He was an excellent skeet shooter and liked to travel the trap circuit, winning many awards. Richard took time off from farming when he was drafted into the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1952. Richard was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Congregational Church, as were his parents before him. Richard was married to Mary Rita Munns in 1946 and had two children, Sharon Joan and Michael Lynn. They were divorced in 1950. Richard met and married his helpmate and soulmate, Elizabeth Temple, on May 2nd 1956 and were married for 55 years until her death in November, 2011. Richard adopted Elizabeth’s son Richard and daughter Susan. Richard is survived by his brother, Kenneth F. Wilhelm of Denver, CO, daughters, Sharon (Jacob) Pomerantz of Denver, and Susan (Dennis) Goodell of Eaton, sons, Michael Edwards of Alaska, Richard L. Wilhelm of Lucerne, CO stepson Sam (Kim) Weber of Texas, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth, and his sister Dorothy Bryant. Graveside service 2:00pm Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley. To extend condolences to the family go to adamsonchapels.com.