Charles Lacey Wilkinson

Charles Lacey Wilkinson 97, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 8:37 am Monday December 7, 2015 at his farm home in Waynetown, IN.

He was born July 15, 1918 at home south west of Waynetown the son of Virgil and Nina V. Wilkinson. Charles graduated from Waynetown High School in 1936. On September 17, 1939 he married Nina L. Mullen and in 1942 he and Nina moved to the farm north of Waynetown where he died with his daughter and son-in-law and compassionate caregivers Lindy Thompson, Myrna Harden, and Jackie Waddell ministering to him until he passed on to heaven.

Charles was a farmer who loved taking risks. In 1941, he purchased his first 80 acre farm for $6,400.00. He then was able to purchase the Pierce farm next to him and another plot of land nearby which totaled about 350 acres. Charles always counted it a blessing to be able to purchase that land. Throughout his life Charles maintained a business partnership and friendship with V.C. "Waxie" Blackford who he loved like a brother.

Charles's first love was always his church, Waynetown Baptist. He accepted Christ at age 12 at the Ingersoll Corner Church. When he and wife Nina married they joined Waynetown Baptist Church where they served for 75 years. Charles was a Deacon, Trustee, Sunday school superintendent and sang in the church choir. He also served on numerous pulpit committees. Charles lived his strong faith studying the Bible daily, praying always and taught a Sunday School Class for over 40 years. He regularly visited the sick and those needing special friendships. Charles and Nina traveled extensively in the United States and Europe and spent many winters with close friends in Texas.

Charles is survived by two children: Karen (Keith) Fruits of Waynetown, IN., and Rex (Carol) Wilkinson of Chicago, IL. Four Grandchildren: Kathryn (Brad) Eads, Mark (Sandra) French, Amy (Matt)Wilkinson Pryor, and Beth (Jozsef) Raduly. Eight great-grandchildren: Tyler and Lacey Goedde, Jamie Leigh (Thomas) Blanchard, Joshua French, Cora and Isaac Raduly, August Rex and Eli Xavier Pryor. He also has 3 step grandchildren: Kevin (Dana) Fruits, Brian (Mary) Fruits and Susan (Jack)Fruits O'Keefe. Step great-grandchildren: Kendrick, Allie, Clyde, Patrick and Andrew Fruits, Lucy, John Freeman, George Henry and William Hogan O'Keefe, Charles was preceded in death by his wife Nina L. Wilkinson, his sister Mary DeEtta Runyan, two children: Kathryn Mary and Ray Allen Wilkinson, his parents and many aunts and uncles.

Friends and family may call at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, 202 Bratton Rd. Waynetown, IN., on Thursday December 10th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 10:00am, Friday December 11th. Burial will follow at Waynetown Masonic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Waynetown Baptist Church P.O. Box 68, Waynetown, IN 47990. The donations will be used toward college scholarships for the church's young students. Condolences may be left on the guest register at Shoemakerfuneralhome.com