Hamilton - Kenneth James Wilke, 42, formerly of Malta, was found unresponsive and passed away in the night, Thursday, August 14, 2025, after EMS performed living saving measures, in his room at the Stay Express Inn in Hamilton.  He was an Iraq War veteran serving 2 tours.  He was transferred to Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta and services will be held there starting Thursday, August 22, 2025.

KJ was born on November 8, 1982, at Fort Belknap, MT. KJ attended school in Billings, Malta and Dodson, graduating from Dodson High School in 2001. During high school, KJ played football and excelled in the sport of basketball. Being a true outdoorsman, when he wasn't playing ball, he was hunting or fishing.

Shortly after graduation, KJ enlisted in the Army Reserves, then later went on to serve in the Army. During his service, KJ was deployed twice to Iraq and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Among many other commendations, KJ was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge. After his military career was over, KJ went wherever the wind would take him. He worked in various places at many different jobs. Eventually KJ decided to attend college at Montana State University (MSU), graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering Technology.

Being the free spirit that he was, KJ was always putting miles on his feet, or his truck. Shortly before his passing, he went on the adventure of a lifetime by taking a trip to South Africa.

KJ is preceded in death by his beloved paternal grandparents, Lester and Sylvia "Cricket" Wilke; maternal grandfather, John "Matt" Bell; great-grandmother Cecelia Lankford; uncle, Sandy Bell; cousin, Jayme Messerly.

Survivors include his father, William "Jim" Wilke; mother, Cheryl (Kenneth, Sr.) Hawley; grandmother, Ione Bell; brothers, Shaun (Laurenda) Bell, Yancy, Kevin and Kenneth, Jr.; sisters, Canden Wilke and Bradee Hawley; nieces and nephews, Gabrielle, Kynlie, Kaiya, Adaya, Kruze, Mateo and Cayson; uncles, Lester Jr, Richard and Tony Wilke, Wade, Mike and Tim Bell; aunts, Cecelia "CeeDee" Wilke, Paula Fogarty, Loretta (Bobby) Ironmaker, Marjorie Bell Azure, Dawnita "Kay" and Susan Bell; numerous cousins and extended family.

The family would like to thank KJ's lifelong friends, teachers, counselors and mentors too numerous to mention for always being there when he needed a helping hand.

A Wake will be held at Dodson High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 5:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday,  August 22, 2025 at 11:00am at Dodson High School in Dodson MT.  Funeral Arrangement are entrusted Wilderness Funeral Homes of Malta.