John Frederick Wilkens

WILKENS — John Frederick, 89; born Mar. 13, 1932, Dover Delaware; died Jul. 13, 2021, Spokane, Washington. Surviving: sons, Barry, Keith and Carl; daughters-in-law, Terry and Joyce; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

John Frederick Wilkens was born March 13, 1932, Marydel, DE and died on July 13, 2021 surrounded by his family at home in Spokane, WA. 

John was born and raised on his parent’s dairy farm in Delaware.  In 1950 he graduated from Shenandoah Valley Academy and two years later married his sweetheart, Edith Taylor of Tacoma Park, MD. 

In 1956, they left the farm and moved to Tacoma Park where he worked for the Review and Herald, moving from the bindery into the accounting department after receiving a bachelor’s degree in business.  The family moved to New Jersey in 1966 when John became the conference treasurer. 

In 1973 he became the treasurer of the Pennsylvania conference and in 1975 he became the treasurer for Upper Columbia Conference where he led several building projects including the conference office and buildings at Camp Mivoden.

In 1980 John became treasurer of the Trans-Africa Division (later East African Division). In 1985 John was an under treasurer at the General Conference. In 1988 he became President of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. In 1991 John returned to the Upper Columbia Conference in the Trust and Development Department and retired in 1995.

After retirement, John was a manager for the African Roof project.  He and Edith were active in volunteering with the immigrant resettlement program in Spokane.

John was preceded in death by Edith and leaves 3 sons and their spouses, Barry and Terry Wilkens of Fort McDowell, AZ, Keith and Joyce Wilkens of Spokane, WA, and Carl and Teresa Wilkens of Spokane.  He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren.