Kurt Wilke

On January 13, 2024, quietly, peacefully, and joyfully, Jesus led Kurt into His Heavenly Kingdom, leaving temporarily his cherished wife and family, and an earthly life filled beyond measure with blessings.

Kurt was born November 12, 1959. He had a unique opportunity growing up to live all around the world, including New York, Brussels, Yokohama, Madrid and Tokyo. Kurt attended the University of Illinois, receiving BS and MBA degrees, where he met his lifelong love, Beth Hoffee. They were married in 1984, and together went on to each receive law degrees from Indiana University School of Law.

Kurt spent his entire career with the Springfield law firm, Barber, Segatto, Hoffee, Wilke & Cate, focusing his practice on commercial and farm real estate transactions.

An Eagle Scout, Kurt served for many years on the board of the Abraham Lincoln Council BSA, including as president. He served several years as a member of the Ball-Chatham School Board, including as president. Kurt and Beth were long-time members of Cherry Hills Church, where Kurt served many years as an Elder, including as chairman. Kurt was a founding and long-time member of the board of Amigos en Cristo, a ministry dedicated to the education and improvement of the lives of young people in the impoverished Anapra community of Juarez, Mexico. Kurt and Beth are presently members of the Church of the City in Franklin, Tennnesse. Kurt and Beth recently formed a small group at Church of the City with some of their dear friends and neighbors.

In 2019, Kurt and Beth relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, to be close to their children, son Brian (Laney) Wilke, and daughter Kate (Hunter) Feinberg, and their grandchildren, Cora, Bennett and Livy Wilke. They all survive, along with Kurt’s Mother, Betty Wilke, and his sisters, Carol (Tracy) Wilke and Susie (Jim) Allison. Kurt’s father, Raymond Wilke, passed away in 2015.

Although surprised by a stage-4 cancer diagnosis in 2022, Kurt spent the last year of his life surrounded by his family – what he loved most.

A Celebration of life is planned for Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Road, Springfield, IL 62711.