Howard D. Wilkinson 1921 - 2003

WILKINSON, ARMSTRONG, MEINS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/15/2015 at 15:45:41

Sioux City Journal
30 March 2003

Howard D. Wilkinson, 81, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, March 27, 2003, at a Sioux City hospital.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Russell Senstad officiating. Graveside rites will be in Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be noon to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 4 to 6 p.m., at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel.

Howard was born Aug. 31, 1921 in Peterson, Iowa, to Harry A. and Clara L. (Armstrong) Wilkinson. After his father's death when he was three, his family lived in Storm Lake, Iowa until he was five, when the family then moved to Sioux City. He was a graduate of Sioux City's Central High School. He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army as a high school senior on Valentine's Day in 1941.

He was stationed in the Philippines on April 22, 1941 with the 60th Coast Artillery Corps at Fort Mills. He was captured in Corregidor when Bataan fell on April 8, 1942. At age 18, Corporal Wilkinson proved what he was made of by surviving the Bataan Death March and was held prisoner of war until he was liberated on Feb. 4, 1945. After various military hospital stays, he finally returned to Sioux City on April 18, 1945.

Following his discharge, Howard married Anna M. Meins on Sept. 19, 1945 and subsequently began working for Sioux City's School System in 1946. Howard provided for his family's financial needs while Anna provided home and comfort, ultimately blessing their union with three daughters, Jacqueline Ann, Bevelyn Jo and Terry Lynne. During his 35 plus years with the Sioux City School System, Howard became a familiar face to the students that passed through the halls of Central High and both the old and new East High School buildings. He touched the lives of many children, in addition to his own, as Howard loved to tease and be teased in return.

He became president of the Maintenance Engineer's Union and worked with well-known attorney Harry Smith for many years. The twinkle in his eye preceded his quick wit and sense of humor as he enjoyed every moment of every day. Besides the Sioux City School System, Howard later also taught steam plant operation classes at WIT until his untimely retirement in 1983.

After retirement, Howard became actively involved with the Prisoners of War Post 673, the American Legion Post 1973 and the Disabled Veterans of America. Some photos of Howard's World War II memories can be viewed at the local restaurant, Sweet Fanny's, where Howard and Anna spent many enjoyable hours in the company of fellow patriots and their wives. His wife and daughters will always be proud of him and what he stood for.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Anna; his daughters and their husbands, Jackie and Virgil Goodvin of Sloan, Iowa, Bevelyn and Ray Bender of Phoenix, Ariz. and Terry and Scott Nugent of LeMars, Iowa; his grandchildren, Amy and Paul Mueller, Jeremy and Teressa Goodvin, Scott Goodvin, Mat Goodvin, Caree and Jason Clemons, Samantha Bender, Andrew Bender, Breanna Nugent and Nic Nugent. Howard was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Stephan, Katrina, Zachary, Ray and Sarah Goodvin; his sister, Phyllis and her husband, Frank Kleminski, of Wisconsin; and a brother-in-law, Bryant "Red" McDonald and his wife, Evelyn, of Jackson, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Helen and Wilma "Marianne".

Howard will be deeply missed by family, friends and all whose lives he touched.