Ralph Wilkins

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ralph Wilkins, 80, of Marion, and formerly of the Oakland County, Mich., where he worked and lived for 42 years, passed away at 6:41 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, in Fountains Nursing Center in Marion.

He was born Nov. 29, 1929, on the family farm near Stonefort, the son of George and Peggy (Hancock) Wilkins.

Ralph was united in marriage to Alena Moore on June 10, 1957, in Pontiac, Mich., and together they shared over 52 years of marriage.

He answered the call of our nation by faithfully serving in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and received six Bronze Service Stars and was honorably discharged in 1952. He was employed by General Motors Orion Plant in Lake Orion, Mich., for 40 years and worked as a production worker and quality control tech. until he retired in 1993. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union. After returning to Southern Illinois in 1996 Ralph faithfully attended the Arnold View Free Will Baptist Church. He was a car enthusiast and purchased many new cars built by General Motors.

He loved outdoor activities which included gardening, bee keeping, caring for his fruit trees and when time allowed, he loved to fish.

He is survived by his wife, Alena Wilkins of Marion; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bill Bush of Oxford, Mich.; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Ralph "Ed" and Mary Wilkins of Sparta, Mich., and Robert "Bob" Wilkins of Marion; three granddaughters, Stephanie Bush, Emily Wilkins and Laura Bush; three grandsons, Nick Bush, Caleb Estrada and Billy Bush; three brothers and their wives, Mark and Vicky Wilkins of Stonefort, Charles and Norma "Cookie" Wilkins of Stonefort, Carl and Sondra Wilkins of Herrin; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Wilkins of Carrier Mills and Reathel Wilkins of Carrier Mills; two brothers-in-law, Bill Moore and his wife Darlene and Don Moore and his wife Carolyn all of Fort Meyer, Fla.; several nieces and nephews, other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Wanda Hart; and two brothers, James Wilkins and Doug Wilkins.

Arrangements for Ralph Wilkins have been entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., of Marion.

A time of visitation for family and friends was from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, at the funeral home.

The funeral service was 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with the Rev. Ivan Ryan presiding.

Interment will follow in Little Saline Cemetery in Stonefort.

Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of the Carrier Mills American Legion Post No. 364, Harrisburg American Legion Post No. 167 and the Illinois National Guard of Marion.

For those who prefer memorial contributions may be made to "Alzheimer Foundation." Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, Ill. 62959.

For additional information or to leave an on-line condolence or memory, please visit the website www.wilsonmcreynolds.com or call (618) 993-2131.