Earl Vance Wilkins

On a snowy November 8, 2013 Earl Vance Wilkins, 81 years young, walked into the arms of our mother, Franny Wilkins, for eternity after missing her for 15 long years. Waiting to welcome him in the heavens was our brother Rich, his daughter-in-law Holly, his parents Jesse and Gladys May ( Miller ) Wilkins, inlaws William and Violet Miron, his brother Cecil ( Leona ), and his sisters Thelma ( Woodrow ) Hawse, and Edna ( Boyd) Bott. Our Father was born June 13, 1932 in Needmore, West Virginia. As a child he was raised on a farm in the beautiful mountains where his love of hunting began and he became at home in the woods. He instilled his love of hunting in his children and grandchildren and they have many fond memories of their time in the woods learning to hunt under his watchful eye. Even up until two weeks before his passing, Dad could be found in the woods baiting deer and preparing for the upcoming deer season. He left home to join the service, served a tour in Korea and then was stationed in Sault Ste Marie, MI. It was here that he met his future wife Frances Azela Miron and they were married June 19, 1955. After a short time living in Detroit, the young couple returned to make the Soo their home and raise their growing family. They purchased a home on Ferris Street, where their family continued to grow until there were 8 little ones running around. Mom and Dad were a team putting their children always before themselves, giving them a lot of love and family time. Dad worked at first as a mechanic at Ted Caffey's Chevrolet.(later Roes Chevrolet) as well as ran the towing service. We became use to extra people at the dinner table, when Dad would extend a warm meal and place to stay to stranded visitors while their vehicles were being repaired. Our friends remember Dad pulling them out of ditches on snowy nights without charging them but having to listen to him lecture on the importance of slowing down, driving with both hands on the steering wheel, and replacing their tires. Dad was a "dad" to everyone. In later years, he became a deputy for Chippewa County Sheriff's Department where he gained the admiration of many including the prisoners. He was fair, he cared, and he tried to show them the right path --An all around nice guy! While Dad fought a brave battle with cancer, he still could be seen at various hockey games around town. He was a season ticket holder for the Soo Eagles hockey team and a devoted Red Wings hockey fan. He was a fierce defender of the American Flag and what it stood for. He loved children and they were drawn to his smile. He was 'gramps' to many whether they are related or not. Left to wait until it's their turn to join him is his family. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; Violet Fran Buck (Paul) sons Christopher Lon McKinney ( Dawn) and children Nathan and Faith, Jason Lee McKinney (Paula) with children, Kayla Ann Arbic (Mathew) , Sara, Alyssa, and Matthew Earl, and Emily Rose Buck. Earl Thomas Wilkins (Holly) with daughters Chelsea (Travis) Marble with son Chase, and Symantha Young ( Randy), Sons of the late Richard Dale Wilkins, Richard Timothy (Lourdes Fel Mosequera) with sons Dennis Mosequera and Richard Dale Wilkins, Kory (Jackie) Wilkins with children, Shawna, Jacob and Elizabeth. Ann Marie Martinez (Jose), Linda Lee Batho (Larry) with children Amanda West (Steven Ellis), Dawn Pointer (Franklin Mayer) with children Mackenzie Mayer, Benjamin Mayer, Brandi West, and Micheal Pointer. Randy (Bobi) Batho with children Haylie Batho, Devin Batho, Corbin West and Brock Hagemann, Sheila Andrews (Frank) with children Joey and Justin Matthews. Janice Lynn Payment (Jim) with children Tamara with son Brandon Lewis, William White (Genifer) with children Benjamin Davis and Landon White, Nicole White (Joe Rocheforth) with sons Ethan and Cole, Steven, Jerry, and Paul Payment, Jamie Payment with children Joseph, Quinn and Annie Socia. Alan James Wilkins (Joy) with children Alayna, Caitlin, Joseph, and Matthew. William Edward Wilkins (Helen) with children Jazmine, Haley, Christian James Wilkins, and John Smith. Also left behind is his sister, Esther Parker of Baker, West Virginia and Dwight Wilkins of Moorfield West Virginia, as well as many nieces and nephews there. The family would like to thank the staff at E.U.P. Hospice House for the wonderful care they extended to our father and family. We ask in lieu of flowers that you make a donation to the E.U.P. Hospice House in Dad's name. A memorial service will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Bruce Township Hall, Sault Ste Marie, Mich at 5:30 P.M. Pastor Leroy Case will officiate.

Tributes

Earl Vance Wilkins

June 13, 1932 - November 8, 2013