Ira "Herschel" Wilkes

Ira “Herschel” Wilkes passed away after a long illness on October 18, 2024. He leaves behind his wife, Mary and many who love him and look forward to being reunited with him in Glory! Herschel was born November 19, 1942 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Thomas J. Wilkes and Gladys Carson. He was one of 16 children. After his father Thomas passed away, he and his mother moved to Fremont, California. Herschel was a custodian for over 30 years at Irvington High School and attended Fremont First Assembly of God where he met Mary Loredo. Mary and Herschel remained friends through the years, even when she moved to Arizona. They were able to reconnect after she moved back to the Bay Area and Herschel became part of the Loredo family, attending many events with Mary’s brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. His weekends began to fill up with school sporting events and pizza parties at Chuck E. Cheese.

In 2014 Herschel moved to sunny Arizona and he and Mary were married in April of 2015. They shared their home with Mary’s brother Hector Loredo and her brother Jesse’s sister-in-law, Robin Wade. Many happy memories were made with family and friends in that home. Jesse and Herschel were bowling buddies, and even while struggling with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, Herschel could still bowl a winning streak.

Herschel had a great sense of humor, was interested in politics, loved dogs and ice cream, and had a great knack for remembering facts, especially about classic films. But, the most important thing in Herschel’s life was his relationship with Jesus! He loved learning, growing, and worshipping his Savior, going to church, singing classic old hymns at the top of his deep bass voice, and watching sermons on YouTube.  A small outdoor service will be held at Irvington Cemetery on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10 am.