John William Wienke

JOHN WILLIAM WIENKE Age 90, of Massillon, passed away on March 21, 2019. He was born on August 8, 1928, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to the late Ekke and Althea (Williams) Wienke. He grew up in Danville, Illinois. During his school years, he carried papers for the Danville Commercial News. He also worked at Gulick Drug Store and the Grogan Photo Plant. Because of his work schedule, he did not participate in many high school activities. Within a week of his high school graduation, John was in boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He attended Electrician School at Great Lake sand then served aboard the USS Tarawa CV 40. He was discharged after 22 months of service and attended the University of Illinois. He graduated in June, 1951, with a B.Sc. degree in Floriculture. He was called up for active duty in the Navy on Graduation Day. He was assigned to the USS Duxbury Bay AVP 38 and then discharged after 15 months of active duty. He then went to work for the Turner-Henry Range Kankakee, Illinois. This was a hydroponics greenhouse specializing in cut roses. In July, 1956, John began working for Yoder Brothers of Barberton in sales and as a national consultant on chrysanthemum propagation. He retired in 1994, after almost 40 years of service. He was a member of the Church of the Lakes. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie Schneider; his brother, Richard Wienke and his stepson, Daniel Houston . John married Rev. Barbara Dowell Houston on October 8, 1995, and they shared 23 loving years together. John will be deeply missed by Barbara; children : Steven (Norma) Wienke, David (Patricia) Wienke, James (Madge) Wienke, James (Cathy) Houston, Jr., Jane (Ronald) Fetrow, Judy (Bryan) Sexton and David (Heather) Houston; grandchildren: Erica (Garrett) Neal, Jess (Eli) Rock, James R. Houston, Paul Wienke, Brenna Houston, Laura Fetrow, Caroline Houston, Tyler Houston, Jack Houston, Luke Houston, Jake Vizer, Maddie Vizer, and one great-grandchild, Oliver Rock. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, from 1-4 p.m. at the Paquelet and Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon. A service will follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Bryan George officiating. A private inurnment will take place at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crossroads Hospice of Green, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive, Green, OH 44685