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 PUBLISHED JULY 29, 2009

 Gene R. Wilkinson

 May 26, 1922 - July 23, 2009

    Gene R. Wilkinson, 87, of Markleville, died Juy 23.
     He was born May 26, 1922, in Henry County, a son of the late Ayne and Zella (Estell) Wilkinson.
     Mr. Wilkinson was a lifelong farmer and co-owner of Wilkinson Implement in Knightstown. As a first lieutenant in the 450th Army Air Corps, he flew on 51 missions as a navigator and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. Mr. Wilkinson’s plane was shot down three times and on one occasion eluded captors for a month after being harbored by the Yugoslavian Partisan Resistance. ACadiz High School and Purdue University graduate, he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
     Survivors include his wife, Virginia Wilkinson of Markleville; two sons, Bill Wilkinson of Muncie and Robert Wilkinson of Troy, Mich.; a daughter, Karla (husband, Gene) Lipp of Longmont, Colo.; two grandchildren, Jennifer Lyons and Nathan Lipp; a brother, Tom (wife, Marjorie) Wilkinson of Knightstown; a sister, Jane Gwinn of Lapel; and several nieces and nephews.
     Funeral services were July 27 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Matt Shelton officiating. Burial followed at Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Full military graveside rites were conducted by Knightstown American Legion Post 152. Visitation was July 26 at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Knightstown American Legion Post 152.

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