Gene G. Wenk's Obituary
Mr. Gene Gordon Wenk, age 80, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020 at home. Gene was born in Muskegon on February 14, 1940 to John and Josephine (Cooper) Wenk. After graduating high school and working his way up to manager of a fiber glass custom molding plant in his mid-20’s, he became an entrepreneur in April 1969 and opened up his own business, Foremost Plastics, Inc, that he ran successfully for nearly 30 years before retiring – employing many family members and friends throughout the years. Gene was an avid sportsman throughout his life, hunting, fishing, hockey, tennis, racquet ball, water skiing, and snow skiing. Gene married the former Carol Samples in 1988 and together they cherished many years of love and laughter that included a shared passion for sailing and were both members of the Muskegon Yacht Club where they owned and raced Termagant (a J24) through the 80’s with family and friends as crew. In the early 90’s, Gene was diagnosed with MS, but he never slowed down. He continued to stay active working out, swimming, reading various genres of books, and both he and Carol became accomplished bridge players where they continued to play until this past spring. Gene was a fixture at Pere Marquette beach as for the last 30 years, at 10:30am sharp in all but the harshest weather until his passing, he made a round trip from their Bluffton home to the beach and back with 5 different dogs through the years: Bernadette (golden lab), Maggie (yellow lab), Millie (pembroke corgi), Mollie (golden lab – both of them made google earth street view), and Jake (jack russell terrier). He will be truly missed by all his family and friends.
Gene is survived by 5 children, DeeAnn Wenk of Lexington, Kentucky, Ted (Zoya) Wenk of Tigard, Oregon, David (Dawn) Wenk of Salisbury, Maryland, Jeff (Chris) Wenk of Caledonia, Michigan, and Jennifer Wenk of Hagerman, Idaho; 7 grandchildren, Patrick (DeeAnn) Mansfield, Russell (DeeAnn) Mansfield, Bradley Wenk (Jeff) of Boston, Massachusetts, Joel Wenk (Jeff) of Middleville, Michigan, Christian Wenk (Jeff) of Caledonia, Michigan, Jalen James (Jennifer) of Hagerman, Idaho, and Stephen Cordrey (David) of Toronto, Canada; 4 great grandchildren, Tristan Wenk (Bradley), Austin Wenk (Bradley), June Wenk (Joel), and Josie Wenk (Joel); 1 sister, Hazel Leiter of Norton Shores; 1 brother, Richard Wenk of Muskegon; and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; by two brothers, John Wenk and Peter Wenk; and by 3 sisters, Annalee MacNab, Wilma Olson, and Dorothy Weller. Due to the current health restrictions, a Celebration of Life honoring Gene will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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