WILKES, John O.
Date of death: 2 Apr 1941 – Trafalgar, Johnson County, Indiana
Franklin Evening Star, April 2, 1941
J. O. Wilkes, 89,
Succumbs Today
–––––
Former Teacher,
Prominent Citizen
¶ Trafalgar, April 2.—J. O. Wilkes, age 89, one of the ten charter members of the Farmers’ Mutual Life Insurance Company of Franklin, and leading citizen of the Trafalgar community for many years, died at his home here Wednesday morning after a short illness.
Although arrangements have not been completed, the funeral will be held at the Christian church here, and burial will follow at the First Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the residence at any time.
Mr. Wilkes was born in Union township on May 5, 1851, one of nine children of Dennis and Mary Bryan Wilkes. He moved to Ninevah when a young man, and resided there until his marriage, since which time he had lived in Trafalgar.
Married In 1887.
He was married to Miss Addie Byers on December 20, 1887, and she passed away July 14, 1924. Six children were born to this union, five of whom are living. A daughter, Miss Nellie Wilkes, twin sister of Mrs. Tillus R. Brown of Detroit, passed away February 2, 1891.
Surviving with Mrs. Brown are Mrs. Gilbert D. Laymon of Miami, Florida; Mrs. William T. Richardson of Indianapolis; Mrs. George Burton, of Franklin; and Mrs. Raymond Pickeral, of Trafalgar, with whom Mr. Wilkes made his home.
Mr. Wilkes is also survived by three brothers and one sister, James Wilkes and Mrs. Wilbur Wells, both of Edinburgh; Grant Wilkes, of Los Angeles, California; and Edward Wilkes, of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Seven grandchildren include Mrs. Charles Lyons, of Montgomery, Ala.; Dr. Russel Laymon, of Miami, Florida; Mrs. Harold Owens, of Greenwood; Mrs. Melvin Murphy, of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. George Rogers, Jr., of Franklin; William Brown, of Fallons, Nevada; and Mrs. Mary Katherine Brown, of Detroit.
Four great-grandchildren also remain, Ruth Ann Lyons and Charles Lyons Jr., both of Montgomery; Kim Allen Rogers, of Franklin; and William Richard Brown, Jr., of Fallons.
Attended Three Colleges
Mr. Wilkes attended Franklin College, Central Normal College at Danville, Terra Haute Normal College, now Indiana State Teachers’ College. He belonged to the Ninevah Christian church, later transferring his membership to the Christian church in Trafalgar. He also held membership in the I.O.O.F. lodge at Trafalgar and the Ninevah lodge, Knights of Pythias.
After receiving his education, Mr. Wilkes taught for ten years in the schools of Johnson County. The remainder of his life had been spent on a farm.
He was quite active in Trafalgar community affairs, and had been connected with prohibition work for 40 years. In addition, Mr. Wilkes had served as secretary of the Farmers Co-Operative in Trafalgar for 19 years; director of the old Trafalgar National Bank here for a number of years; and also the Farmers Mutual Company of Franklin.
He was a splendid Christian gentleman and his many friends will grieve in the death of this loyal pioneer.
Franklin Evening Star, April 4, 1941
J. O. WILKES RITES
TO BE SATURDAY
¶ Trafalgar, April 4.—Final rites will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday at the Christian church here for J. O. Wilkes, age 89, who passed away Wednesday morning. Services will be conducted by Rev. Donald Hoffman, pastor, and burial will take place at the First Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
Mr. Wilkes, one of the most prominent residents of this community, was one of ten charter members [missing text, see below] ance Company, of Franklin, and had also been secretary of the Farmers Co-Operative here for 19 years and director of the of Trafalgar National Bank. He taught for 10 years in the county before taking up farming.
of the Farmers Mutual Life Insur-
Franklin Evening Star, April 7, 1941
J. O. WILKES RITES
HELD AT TRAFALGAR
¶ Trafalgar, April 7—Funeral services for J. O. Wilkes, whose death occurred last Wednesday morning, were held at the Christian church here Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and burial followed in the First Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
The rites were conducted by the Rev. Donald Hoffman, pastor of the Christian church of which Mr. Wilkes was a member. Appropriate selections were sung by Mrs. Iliff Mitchell and Webb Pickerel.
Honorary pall bearers were James R. Bridges, Perten Naile, M. F. Kennedy, Harry Garshwiler, A. L. Stockton and W. E. White. Casket bearers were Cecil Utterback, Cecil McCaslin, Lester Snow, Harley Buckner, Bryan Pitcher and Russel Knight.
Flowers were carried by Mrs. Guy Clore, Mrs. Dean Swift, Mrs. Cecil McCaslin, Mrs. Frank Hunt, Mrs. George Pitcher, Mrs. Don Liesky, Miss Ona Pickerel, Mrs. Cecil Utterback and Miss Marguerite Clark.
Transcribed by Stuart Johnson