Wilkins

Robert E. Wilkins, 77, of Hornertown, Petrolia, died at 7:04 a.m. June 1 at the Sugar Creek Rest, Worthington, after a long illness.

Born in Addison, Somerset County, April 22, 1931, he was a son of John and Myrtle Silbaugh Wilkins.

He graduated from the Turkey Foot School District in Somerset County and served with the Army in Germany from 1953 until 1956.

He retired as a production worker at Koppers in Petrolia in 1993.

Mr. Wilkins was a member of the Allegheny Clarion F&AM Lodge.

He married the former Melissa A. Weller Aug. 10, 1982, in Emlenton. She survives along with a son, Steven Wilkins and friend, Linda Cervenic, of Kennerdell; a daughter, Sheila Wilkins of Eau Claire; a granddaughter, Cathrine Wilkins of Norfolk, Va.; a stepson, Edward Bowman and friend, Michele Pesci, of Butler; a stepdaughter, Melinda Blose and her husband, Tim, of Ford City; six step-grandchildren, Justine Laughlin of Dover, N.J., Bryce Gephart of Lawton, Okla., Adyson Bowman of Butler and Justin, Bree and Alyssa Blose, all of Ford City; a sister-in-law, Patricia Wilkins of Friendsville, Md.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were two brothers, John and Russell Wilkins; and two sisters, Laura Jones and Mary Robinson.

<B>WILKINS</B> — A memorial service for Robert E. Wilkins, who died Sunday, June 1, 2008, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Petrolia Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Richard Rowe, retired pastor, officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson Research, Hope Center Research Fund Director, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, 600 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home</B>, Petrolia.