Franklin Wilkinson

Franklin Delano Wilkinson was born March 1, 1933, in Patton, Missouri, the fifth child in a family of nine children born to the late Leslie Wilkinson and Louie Slinkard Wilkinson. On Friday, May, 4, 2018, he passed away at his home in Cape Girardeau, with his wife and family by his side.

Frankie, as everyone called him, graduated from Patton High School in 1951, served in the Army from 1952 until 1955, and graduated from Hadley Technical School in St. Louis in 1961.

He married the former Nelda Mayfield on Nov. 26, 1955, at Marble Hill, Missouri.

In 1962, they moved to Cape Girardeau, where he owned and operated Frank�s Gulf Service at Broadway and Pacific Street until 1976, when he sold his business and went to work at Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1990.

Frankie accepted Christ into his life in 1960, and has been a member of Cape Bible Chapel since 1979.

In the 1970s, Frankie and Nelda purchased an RV, and while the boys were growing up, the family traveled over all the United States. After his two boys were grown, he and Nelda traveled abroad, visiting 18 foreign countries. For several years, they spent the winter months in Florida or Texas.

Frankie is survived by his wife, Nelda Wilkinson; two sons, Ricke (Suzann) Wilkinson of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, and Randy (Linda) Wilkinson of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Jessica (Jeremy) Myers of Niceville, Florida, Jordan (Isabel) Wilkinson of Crestwood, Missouri, Danny Wilkinson of Floyds Knobs and Katelyn Wilkinson of Greensboro, North Carolina; two stepgrandchildren, Amy Hanebrink of St. Louis and Grace Hanebrink of Cape Girardeau; four great-grandchildren, Jaelynn, Julia and Jackson Myers and Leopold Wilkinson; and a sister, Lula Belle (Cletus) Angle of Gordonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a precious little granddaughter, Justine; brothers, Don Wilkinson, who lost his life in World War II, twin brother and sister John Jay Wilkinson and Janice Douglas; and sisters, Mae Allen, Dessie Dennis, Ollie Henson and Frankie�s twin sister, Elanore White.

A funeral service of family and close friends will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn Road, with the Rev. Jeremy Myers officiating. His earthly body will rest and await the Lord�s coming with a private internment at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Tri-County Hospice, 1614 W. Business Highway 60, Suite A2, Dexter, MO 63841; Alzheimer�s; or charity of your choice.