MILDRED I. WILKERSON

Mildred I. Wilkerson, age 98, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 8:20 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2009 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, IN. Born on September 18, 1911 in Long Swamp, Noble County, IN she was the daughter of William and Leona (Kitt) Barber.At age 6, she and her family moved to Whitley County where she graduated from the Whitley County Schools and earned an Associates Degree from Fort Wayne Business College. She was married to John S. Wilkerson on May 28, 1932. A homemaker, she raised chickens, sold and delivered eggs for many years from her Thorncreek Township farmhome. She is fondly remembered as the "Chicken and Egg Lady" to many locals. Her memberships included Thorncreek Bethel Church of God and Thorncreek Homemaker's Extension Club. She was also an original member of the Jolly 7 Club and along with her husband, was well known and performed on TV with a local square dance club. Mildred was known to raise, care for and loved numerous cats during her lifetime.Among survivors include her daughter, Gloria Joan Banker, Columbia City; 3 grandchildren, Kenda Huntley, Placitas, NM, Roger Huntley, New Castle and Dale Banker, Jr., Fort Wayne; several great and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John S. Wilkerson, who died in 1972, son in law, Dale Eugene Banker, Sr.in 2002 and granddaughter, Cindy Voirol in 2003.Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at the funeral home with Pastor Lannie Maloney of Thorncreek Bethel Church of God officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew's Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial bequests may be given to Whitley County Humane Society or to Thorncreek Bethel Church of God. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send condolences to the family please visit www.demoneygrimes.com . Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.