Herbert A. “Blackie” Dirkse, 90, of Cedar Grove, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Cedar Grove Gardens.
Herb was born in Oostburg on March 18, 1935 to Burton and Adrianna (Buyze) Dirkse. He was a 1953 graduate of Oostburg High School and later enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, where he served for two years.
On June 14, 1958 he was united in marriage to Marjorie A. Wynveen.
Herb worked at Kohler Company for many years before going into the grocery business where he owned and operated grocery stores in Gibbsville and Cedar Grove. In 1980 he built Dirkse’s Piggly Wiggly in Cedar Grove.
Herb enjoyed golfing, sailing, downhill skiing, and watching high school sports.
He served in prison ministry for over 20 years through Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute and was active in his church, serving as an elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher.
Herb is survived by his wife Marge and their children Ann (Michael) Canzoneri and Robert (Kelly) Dirkse, grandchildren David (fiancée Jordan) Canzoneri, Paul Canzoneri, Sarah Canzoneri, Hannah (Zachary) Garside, Matthew (Lillian) Dirkse, Molly (Seth) Piersma, and Elizabeth (Eric) Salisbury, great-grandchildren Elijah and Rachel Garside, Teagan Dirkse, and Willem Piersma, sister Joan Vanderveen, sisters-in-law Joyce Dirkse, Diana Dirkse and Judi (Gary) TenHaken, brothers-in-law Don Hinz, Calvin (Vonnie) Wynveen, Lowell Wynveen, and Bob (Kathy) Wynveen, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends
He was preceded in death by his brothers Bob “Brownie” Dirkse and Mark Dirkse, sister Marianne Hinz, brothers-in-law Ted Vanderveen and Mark Wynveen and sister-in-law Patty Wynveen.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Faith Reformed Church, Cedar Grove with Pastor Zach Tarter officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service. He will be laid to rest at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
A livestream of the service can be watched by visiting his obituary page at wenigfh.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to Words of Hope.
Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg is honored to assist the family. Please visit wenigfh.com for more information.
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