Lyle Jerome Wikre, 86, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Monday, July 22, 2013 in a Chattanooga hospital.
Lyle was born in St. Paul, MN to Ludwig J. and Olga Wikre. He was a World War II veteran of the Navy serving in the South Pacific and Okwana and was a Seabee. He and his wife moved to TN in 1971 where he worked as a supervisor for Coca Cola for many years. Lyle was an avid hunter and fisherman making annual fishing trips to Canada, his favorite place. He enjoyed playing professional polo in his younger years. He and his wife loved traveling to auctions and antiquing together and also cruising to many parts of the world. He was a charter member of BridgeMakers. He attended the First Baptist Church.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Glen Wikre; and two sisters, Harriet Isaacson and Margurite Martin.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Eloise Wikre; son, Lowell Wikre and spouse Teresa of Cookeville, TN; daughter, Gail Klein of White Bear Lake, MN; his grandchildren, Laura Klein of Wilmer, MN and Destiny and Logan Wikre of Cookeville, TN; special nephew, Gary Isaacson of Stillwater, MN; several nieces and nephews; and cousins of the Lauritz Dahl family in Norway.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home followed by a service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Johnny Hood officiating. Interment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday, July 26, at 2 p.m. with military honors. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.
The family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, TN Children’s Missions or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.