Leonard Guy Wilkinson

Leonard Guy Wilkinson

March 15, 1923 - June 9, 2012

HAYS, Kansas -- Leonard Guy Wilkinson, 89, died Saturday (June 9, 2012), in Hays, Kansas,

He was born March 15, 1923, in Hitchock County to Guy and Rosie (Urban) Wilkinson. The family moved to the John Wilkinson homestead location in Burntwood Township, Kansas. He attended grade school at Lone Tree and Mayflower county schools. He graduated from McDonald Rural High School in 1940.

On Nov. 14, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army and served with the 132nd AAA Gun Battalion in the European Theater from April 7, 1945 to Aug. 31, 1946. Following his military service, he attended Colorado A and M College in Fort Collins, Colorado and Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver, Colorado, later returning to Rawlins County to farm and raise registered Hereford cattle.

He married Berdean Mae Sramek on Oct. 9, 1951. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, St. Pius X Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and VFW Post 9115, Stratton, Nebraska.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Guy and Rosie Wilkinson; parents-in-law, Anton and Antionette Sramek, brother, Raymond and sister-in-law, Lorraine; and brother-in law, Eugene Sramek.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Berdean; daughters, Karen and husband, Bob Threlkel of Hays, Barbara and husband Darrell Wagoner of Hays, Janet and husband, Jerry Malone of Leawood, Kansas, Mary Wilkinson of Centennial, Colorado, Teresa Wilkinson of Wake Forest, North Carolina, son, Daniel Wilkinson of rural Atwood; brother, Kenneth and wife, Phyliss Wilkinson; sister-in-law, Patricia Sramek; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild; many relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012, at  St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in rural Atwood with the Rev. Nick Parker as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mount Calvery Cemetery. A parish vigil and Knights of Columbus rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friday, June 15, at the church.

Visitation is Friday from 1-5 p.m. at Williams Funeral Chapel and after 6 p.m. at the church.

Williams Funeral Home in Atwood is in charge of arrangements.