Walter Wilkens

He was born May 15, 1948 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Henry C. and Anne (Intelmann) Wilkens. At the age of 3, Henry and Anne bought a farm in Bovina and he moved with his family.

Walter graduated from South Kortright Central School, the Class of 1966. Following graduation Walter pursued his education at Old Dominion College but realized it wasn’t for him. He was drafted into the US Army and served in Germany and then Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge he returned to college and graduated with honors from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in Economics in December 1973.

He began working at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Boston for several years. Deciding to return to the area, Walter became the financial supervisor at the Oneonta Job Corp. When they changed companies, Walter had the opportunity to go to Indonesia and work where he met his future wife, Tinny. He returned to the US in 1988. In the years to come, Walter returned to Indonesia to teach English. He realized that teaching wasn’t for him his and he returned to the US. He began managing an apartment building he had previously purchased and helped his mother maintain her rental properties.

On February 19, 1993, Walter and Tinny Danamihardja were married in Milford.

Walter was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, and fishing, especially turkey hunting, and had a collection of turkey beards. In his younger years, he would trap mink and muskrats. Walter was a member of the Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited, and the Oneonta American Legion.

He enjoyed family vacations to Indonesia and across the US with his wife and children, including many train excursions.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Tinny Wilkens, Oneonta; children, Andrew Walter Wilkens, Pittsburgh, PA and Anissa Tinny Wilkens, Queens; sister, Louise Leary, Oneonta; nieces, Rachael (Corey) Elias and Stephanie (Todd) Joyce and their children, Henry and Ethan Elias and Miles and Kayleigh Joyce; in-law family members including his wife’s siblings: Sudradjat Dana Manggala, Tatty Sumartika, Lilis Sumarliah, Yatty Sumarya Danamihardja, and Yanny Sumaryani, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren; as well as many cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. A memorial service will immediately follow at 1:00 PMwith the Rev. Randolph Palada officiating.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.