FRANKLIN
Jack L. “Jackie” Wilkins, age 81, passed away Sunday evening, April 17, 2016, at the Franciscan St. Francis Hospice House in Indianapolis. He was a resident of Franklin.
Jackie was born Aug. 11, 1934, in Cash, Arkansas, to the late Sherman and Bertha (Ross) Wilkins.
He served as a seaman apprentice for the U.S. Navy on the Destroyer U.S.S. Mansfield during the Korean War. He was awarded the following honors: Korean Medal with four stars, and the Japanese Occupation and the China Service-United Nations Medal.
Jackie retired in 1994 as a material control supervisor for Ford Motor Co. in Indianapolis after 32 years of service.
He was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Franklin, Franklin Masonic Lodge, Post 107, Indianapolis Scottish Rite & Murat Shrine and was a lifetime member of the Franklin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6978. Other memberships include the Johnson County Shrine Club and the Franklin American Legion Post 205.
He was the recipient of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels for his unwavering ability to help others.
Jackie enjoyed boating, camping and was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts.
Jackie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ann (Ebbing) Wilkins, whom he married Oct. 30, 1954, in Harrisburg, Arkansas. He also is survived by a son, Kenneth L. (Ruth) Wilkins of Franklin; granddaughter, Cassandra “Cassie” Wilkins of Indianapolis; great-grandsons, Brayden and Dominic Wilkins, both of Indianapolis; sister, Lueda Beck of Killeen, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Joan Shaw of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sons, Stanley D. and Dennis P. Wilkins; sisters, Lucille Hillis and Dee Smith; and a brother, S. W. Wilkins.
Father Steven Schaftlein will conduct a celebration of life service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton Ave., Franklin. A Masonic service will be conducted by the Franklin Masonic Lodge, Post 107 and military rites will be presented by the Franklin Honor Guard, following the service. Friends may call from 5 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith – Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the family at meredith-clark.com.
Information: 812-597-4670
