OUR VIEW: Let's Be More Like James Wilke

In a small town like Dorchester, we often get asked to do a lot for others.

Maybe it's coaching the kids or helping at the school.  Perhaps it's being part of a volunteer group, or assisting at the church.

Then there are the smaller asks, like scooping snow for an elderly acquaintance.  Giving a ride to someone whose car is out of service.  Or just lending a cup of sugar to the next-door neighbor.

Sometimes, all this helping-out-others stuff gets to be overwhelming.  Sometimes, it would be a lot easier just to focus on ourselves.

In times like these, we should remember to be more like James Wilke.

Wilke is the 50-year-old Platte County farmer who died Thursday in floodwaters near his Columbus-area home.  He died attempting to rescue others in need.  

Wilke was on his way to assist emergency responders working to rescue a motorist trapped by floodwaters.  On his way to the scene, he drove his tractor over a bridge.  The bridge collapsed.  Wilke was trapped in the raging floodwaters.

On Friday, his body was found in a nearby creek bed.  He left behind his wife, children and a grandchild.

His friends and family called Wilke very generous, giving, very involved with everything.  The one who got things done.

One of Wilke's friends said: “He supported the community any time he could.”

In short, those who really knew the man realize that Wilke put serving others first. That's the way we'd all like to be remembered.

We could list the reasons why we all should be more involved with giving back to our town and our fellow residents. 

We could remind you that studies have proved helping others through volunteer work increases levels of happiness for the giver -- or that helping your fellow residents builds stronger social connections to friends and community.

But it's probably just easier to point to leadership by example.  

If we were all more like James Wilke, think of how much better this world would be.