Died: Monday, April 29, 2019
Age: 97
Wilbur D. Drinkhorn, 97, of Dryden, an astonishing icon, left the earth on Monday, April 29, 2019. He married Pauline (Olan) Hagemiester in 1951 in Hale, MI while riding around the countryside they were married for 51 years. He was a truck driver, spending most of his career working at the gravel pit for 21 years until retiring in 1980. For 66 years he resided at the same house and community, loving his homeland.
His journey through life began in Allenton, at eight years old the Depression took their farm and left a huge scar that never healed. From early on Wilbur had a keen sense for farming. His knowledge of the seasons didn’t flee keeping track of the snow, rain and temperatures and his acuity for knowing the harvest of fruits and vegetables were abundant at the table. In his future years Wilbur paid cash for all his purchases and cherished it all. Like many who were hit by despair, disbelief in banks was engraved.
Wilbur had a remarkable memory. He would grasp your attention as he recalled the vivid lifestyle that once existed. The history Wilbur would let escape through his countless fables of happier days that had no boundaries. His daily routines, descriptions of his friendships, jokes at work, his famous one liners, kept you grinning from ear to ear.
Wilbur being very clever at a young age won the spelling bee contest in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, bringing home his prize of a Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary every year. His lifetime prize possession was his 1994 Dodge Ram and everyone in town knew it. With 126,000 miles of pure pride and pleasure the front license plate reads “Mean Green Machine.” Wilbur had a never-ending dedication to the Detroit Tigers being their #1 fan. Other than the Tiger’s you would find Mr. Drinkhorn in his chair in front of his garage visiting with all who stopped by. Always willing to give a hand to someone in need and respected all his acquaintances.
Wilbur will be deeply missed by his best friend, Angela Delor; friend and caretaker, Susan Mangipange; nephew, John Bowen; and a good friend and neighbor, Jerry Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pauline; brother, Frances; sisters, Jean and Margaret; and niece, Mary Bowen.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Dryden Fire Department.
Cremation has been entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Almont.
