MICHAEL F. WILKESON

Michael Wilkeson Sept. 16, 1939 - April 27, 2015 MISHAWAKA - Michael Francis Wilkeson, 75, residing in Mishawaka, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2015, at the Golden Living Center, Mishawaka, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born September 16, 1939, in South Bend, to the late Darwin Earl & Genevieve Mary (Sobecki) Wilkeson, and had lived most of his life in the South Bend area. 

Following retirement, he lived in Green Valley, Arizona, for nineteen years, and returned to the South Bend area in 2014.

On May 1, 1982, in South Bend, he was united in marriage to Nancy Lee Phillips, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Michelle Milligan of Mishawaka, IN, Kimberly (Charles) Harper of Darien, CT; two step-daughters, Carol Ann Heilman of South Bend, IN, and Elizabeth Hagedorn of Lowellville, OH. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Olivia, Ramsey, Natalie, William and Rebecca; a sister, Suzanne (Del) McMillin of Campbell, CA; and three brothers, Darwin (Judy) Wilkeson of Santa Clara, CA, Philip (Nancy) Wilkeson of Corona, CA, and Gene (Ellen) Wilkeson of South Bend, IN; along with a dear family friend, Carolyn Mazurkiewicz; eight nephews and two nieces, and fourteen grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a stepson, Tommy Hagedorn, on Sept. 30, 2013.

Mr. Wilkeson retired from the United States Postal Service, having worked at the Edison Park & Chippewa Stations.

He was a 1957 graduate of Central High School, and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962. He was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, South Bend, and while living in Green Valley was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, and Our Lady of the Valley Church where he also served as an usher.

He enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening, and walking. He was an expert pool player, and enjoyed carpentry and remodeled seven homes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Graveside services and military rites will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN. The family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, as well as one hour prior to Mass on Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Wilkeson may be offered to Grace Hospice, 5838 W. Brick Road, South Bend, IN 46628; or to St. Anthony de Padua Church, 2120 E Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617; or to any Knights of Columbus. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 29, 2015.

03/12/2023 EJS