By City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A longtime central Wisconsin broadcaster has died. Carl Hilke, who ran the WFHR 1320 AM newsroom in Wisconsin Rapids for years, died Nov. 8 at Atrium Post Acute Care, after a bout with prostate cancer. He was 64.

Carl began his radio career in 1981 in the old Tribune building as a news reporter. He was later promoted to news director. His work was routinely recognized by the Wisconsin Associated Press and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

In 2011, Carl received the “Community Spirit Award” from the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, Hilke received the Wisconsin Rapids Elks Lodge “Distinguished Citizenship Award.”

Carl was the voice of news and talk radio in Wisconsin Rapids since the fall of 1981, and most recently hosted WFHR’s “Morning Magazine” and “Over the Back Fence” programs.

Carl was a 1974 graduate of Lincoln High School and earned a degree in journalism from UW-Oshkosh.

Funeral services for Carl Hilke will be held Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Friends may call at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home Nov. 13, 4-7 p.m., and again on Thursday at the church from 11 a.m. until service time.