John M. Wike, 78, of Beaumont died July 26, 2005 at his residence. Born on March 9, 1927 in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the then Texas Company as a Merchant Seaman in 1945, working to the rank of Chief Engineer. He came shore side with Texaco in 1960 working until 1985 in the Marine Sale Department on Texaco Island.
John moved his family to Port Arthur, Texas in 1952 and resided there until 1985 when he retired from Texaco. He and his wife moved back to Tyrone, Pennsylvania, keeping a promise he made to her when they first moved to Texas. In 2001, he returned to Beaumont to be closer to his immediate family.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Patricia Anderson Wike of fifty-five years; sons, Stephen M. Wike and wife Dottie of Corpus Christi, James Anderson Wike and wife Teresa and Neil Allen Wike and wife Denise all of Beaumont; daughter, Karen Lynn Wike Umholtz and husband Charlie of Lumberton; sister, Judith Ann Wike Wamsher and husband Bill of Line Lexington, Pennsylvania; ten grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be 7:00 p.m. Friday evening, July 29, 2005 at Broussard’s, 1605 N Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until service time Friday evening at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 1907 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030.
