YORKTOWN — Jim Wirkner, 77, passed away suddenly Tuesday, Jan. 26 2021, at his home, now reunited with his beloved wife of 47 years, Linda, who passed away four years ago.
He was born April 28, 1943, to Herbert and Elizabeth Wirkner in Elyria, Ohio, and later enjoyed a close relationship with stepmother, Millie.
After graduating Dayton University with a degree in civil engineering, he married Linda, moved to the Peninsula and started a family. He designed and built the family home in Yorktown in 1974, before getting a position with Occidental Petroleum, which took the family to Tripoli, Libya. The years in Libya, with travels all through Europe, were the most exciting and rewarding of his life, he always said. In 1980, his job with Huffco Oil in Balikpapan, Indonesia, gave his family the chance to travel extensively throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Returning to Yorktown in 1984, Jim and his wife became enthusiastic gardeners and enjoyed hours together working in the yard.
His natural friendliness garnered a wide circle of friends and acquaintances across the Peninsula. He and his walking friends were a regular sight around Edgehill.
He is survived by his son, Michael of Key West, Florida, and daughter, Michelle (Julia) of Pennsylvania; beloved sister, Marge Muloin (Wayne) of Avon, Ohio; brother, Ed Wirkner (Judy) of Penn Valley, California; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Operhall (Lou) of Richmond and Joanne Dickey of Texas.
He will be missed deeply, and we will always carry him with us in our hearts.
