Wilfred Kempker

Wilfred Kempker, 89, of Westphalia, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 21, 1932 in Folk, Missouri; a son of the late Henry and Gesina (Toebben) Kempker. Wilfred was united in marriage on June 16, 1956 to Regina “Jean” Bock at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia. Wilfred began working on the family farm after returning from his service in the United States Army in 1955 and drove a milk truck while also working for Zeilmann Brothers Blacksmith Shop and Case Tractor Sales. Wilfred and his brother Herbert ran a small gas station and garage in Westphalia. In 1957 he worked as a mechanic at E and J Garage which was later named Weber Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment. From 1962 through 2001, Wilfred worked as a Master Mechanic in Jefferson City for the Ford Motor Company at Schanzmeyer Ford, Capital City Ford, and Mike Kehoe Ford. Wilfred was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the America Legion Post 544, where he served as Commander for 28 years. He volunteered with the Westphalia Fire Department for over 36 years. Wilfred was a lifetime member of the Westphalia Knights of Columbus Council 1171 where he obtained the Fourth Degree Honor Guard. Wilfred was known as “Mr. Fix-It!” His hobbies included fixing and repairing just about anything that was broken. All throughout his working career and long into retirement Wilfred operated for local friends and family a back yard garage repairing and oil changing vehicles and fixing just about everything that could go wrong on a vehicle. Most recently, he was happy fixing up a Model A, a 1936 Ford Truck and the current project, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird convertible car. Wilfred and his wife of 65 years purchased a lake lot at Warsaw, MO with Wilfred’s brother Clarence, where they enjoyed over 26 years of retirement fun and fishing adventures with many wonderful friends from Osage County along with many new friends made at Truman Lake. Lifetime friend, Joe Massman was the best fishing buddy over those years. Wilfred built his own little resort to entertain many of those friends made. Countless hours of boating and fishing memories were made with family and grandkids. He also loved working in his garden growing various vegetables with his favorite being tomatoes and cucumbers and also enjoyed his blackberry bushes. One of his favorite baseball teams to follow was the St. Louis Cardinals. During baseball season, you could routinely find him glued to the TV dressed in his Cardinal red cheering on the red birds. Wilfred was very patriotic and very respectful to America and the American Flag. His favorite colors were red, white and blue. A major highlight of his retired years was his July 2013 Honor Flight to see the war memorials especially the Korean Memorial in Washington DC. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean; children: Kathleen Miller (Ron), Carol Finke (Dennis), Michael Kempker (Janis Gieck) and Mark Kempker (Judy); brothers: Joseph Kempker (Cecilia) and Herman “Benny” Kempker (Emma); sisters: Angeline Maasen (Leo) and Genevieve “Genny” Glawson (Ed); sister-in-law: Dolly Kempker; grandchildren: Nathan Carel (Brooke Francis), Dorothy Cleveland, Brent Kempker (Brooke), Ryan Finke (Genevieve Knab) Devin Kempker (Anna), Brianna Kempker (Zach Heck) and Dylan Kempker; great grandchildren: Maria Carel, Cash Kempker and Quinn Kempker as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Wilfred was preceded in death by his grandson: Dalton Kempker; brothers and sisters-in-law: Sylvester Kempker (Marie), Raymond Kempker (Cecilia), Melvin Kempker (Lorraine), Harry Kempker (Evelyn), Clarence Kempker (Gertrude), Edward Kempker (Joan), Lawrence Kempker (Wihelmina) and Herbert Kempker (Helen); sister and brother-in-law: Vernita Woehr (Joe) and brother-in-law: Robert Baker. Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia with a prayer service and rosary at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia with Fr. Anthony Viviano officiating. Interment will immediately follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia via their Facebook page. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia or the Central Missouri Honor Flight. Arrangements are under the direction of HILKE-MILLARD Funeral Home, 101 Linn Street, Westphalia, MO 65085. (573) 455-2424. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com