Milford Wilkins

Milfred "Mel" Charles Wilkins was born February 14, 1914, to Samuel Clyde and Nellie Gertrude (Holdrige) Wilkins in St. Edward, Nebraska. He attended country school in St. Edwards and then moved with his family to Iowa in 1932 where Mel farmed with his father in the Dunlap vicinity for many years. In the spring of 1941, Mel moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he worked for the Burlington Bus Company. On October 8, 1941, Mel married Pauline Jones in Fremont, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with the birth of one son, Bruce. Mel served in the United States Air Force for 36 months during World War II. After his honorable discharge the couple moved to Dunlap where Mel worked as a mechanic at the Bonsall Garage for several years. He was then employed by Farmers Co-op where he operated the fuel tank wagon service until his retirement in 1978.

After retiring, Mel and Pauline enjoyed traveling, camping, visiting family in Colorado and spending winters in Arizona. For the last 20 years, Mel enjoyed sitting in his yard with his cigar and watching the activities in the neighborhood.

Mel died Friday, April 13, 2007, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 93 years, one month, and 30 days.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pauline on October 28, 2002; two sisters, Edith Malone and Opal and her husband Robert Daigh. He is survived by one son, Bruce Wilkins and his wife Janette of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; one grandson, Christopher Wilkins of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; two sisters-in-law, Wanda Weber of Dow City, Patsy and her husband Bill Vanderford of Lincoln, Nebraska, brother-in-law, Wayne Jones and his wife Regina of Logan, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.