Galen H. Wilkinson, 91, Richland Township, Whitley County, died at 2:20 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at his home.
He was born Dec. 7, 1925, near Etna, a son of Joseph R. and Mildred P. Harshman Wilkinson. His formative years were spent in Etna and Richland Township. He graduated from Larwill High School in 1944.
On July 1, 1944, he was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps. He trained as aerial gunner on B-24 Liberator bomber and served in Foggia, Italy, and Munich, Germany. Galen was honorably discharged Nov. 9, 1945.
On April 17, 1948, he was united in marriage to Betty J. Miner. They have always made their home on their Richland Township farm.
In addition to dairy and grain farming, Galen drove oil truck for Farm Bureau Co-op for 13 years.
He was a member of Northern Indiana Johnny Poppers (2-cylinder) Club, Whitley County Ag Museum & Learning Center, Allen County Milk Marketing Board, Ag Plus Board and NRA.
Surviving relatives include his wife of over 69 years, Betty; six children: Danny (Cheryl) Wilkinson, South Whitley; Rex (Debra) Wilkinson, South Whitley; Jan (Marvin) Michael, Claypool; Monte (JoElla) Wilkinson, Larwill; Jacki (Victor) Bishop, Larwill; and Jill Eberly, South Whitley; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Joyce (Dale) Lawrence, Columbia City; Marilyn (Emmett) Pletcher, Warsaw; and Donna (Fred) Martz, Columbia, Mo.; and two sisters-in-law, Janet Wilkinson, South Whitley, and Mary Wilkinson, Pierceton.
Four brothers, Dayne, Max, Carroll and Larry, preceded him in death.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Whitley County Ag Museum & Learning Center on the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds, 680 W. Squawbuck, Columbia City.
Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery, with military honors presented by Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.
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Memorials to Whitley County Ag Museum & Learning Center.
Condolences may be sent at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
