Gilbert Wilhelm, Sr.

Gilbert Donald Wilhelm, Sr.,76,  of Lancaster Hill Road, Lonaconing died Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Frostburg Village Nursing Home. Born on August 27, 1941 at home he was the son of the late Leonard Wilhelm, Sr. and Mary (Crowe) Wilhelm. He was one of 19 children.

He was preceded in death by two sisters Hazel Layman, Twila Mae Fike and five brothers, Leonard, Jr., Harry, Dale, Okey and Bobby.

Gilbert grew up in Avilton, working on the family farm. He attended Valley High School. A heavy equipment operator, he worked for multiple construction and coal companies. In his 20’s and 30’s he worked with brothers during the Vietnam Conflict for Harwell Construction Company in Buckhannon, WV, AP Hill, VA, Indian Town Gap, PA, Fort Belvoir, VA and Upper Marlboro, MD.  He also worked for Moran Coal Company and Savage River Diary Farms. He was the proud partner of Wilhelm Coal Co., GB Liquors, M+M Loggers and BB+G Logging. He was also a landlord for a rental property.

He enjoyed farming and operating equipment. Cutting timber was his favorite activity. He very much loved his family and he enjoyed working with them. Appearance meant a lot to him. It was important and enjoyable for him to keep the grass cut at home and at the Wilhelm Flat.

He was a member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Lonaconing Republican Club.

He is survived by six children, Gilbert, Jr and wife Barbara, Dwight, Sr. and wife Erin, Bryan and partner Diane Lewis, Howard and wife Rebecca, Delana and husband Vance Kaloz and Twila and husband Brett Shelley; 13 grandchildren, Kara Achouri  and husband Baganola, Jacy Humbertson and husband Jason, Gilbert, III and wife Beth, Dwight, Jr., Dawson and Delilah Wilhelm, Gracy and Bryan Wilhelm, John Golden and wife Alyssa, Brittany Golden, Carly Shaw, Howard Wilhelm and Reed Shelley and baby Shelley on the way ; 4 great-grandchildren, Owen, Grace, Johnny and Waylon and baby Wilhelm on the way; eleven siblings including Ronald Wilhelm, Ray Wilhelm, Susie Kamp, and Mildred Husselbaugh, Olin Wilhelm, Dallas Wilhelm, Jean Miller, Lois Rowe, Connie Burdock, Helen Michael, and Sheila Baker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 16864 National Pike, Frostburg, MD on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Daniel Agnew officiating. Interment will be held at Blocher Cemetery, Frostburg. Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Lonaconing handled the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Gilbert, III, Dwight, Jr., Francis, Timmy, Sr., Matthew and Chad Wilhelm.

At the request of the family, donations may be made in Gilbert’s memory to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church c/o Mrs. Lois Rowe, 2693 Old Frostburg Road, Frostburg, MD 21532.