Frank Wilkins

FRANK WILKINS Cedar Rapids Frank Wilkins, 76, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at his residence surrounded by his family, just as he wanted. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Service: noon Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the funeral home, conducted by the Rev. David W. Renfro, and one-hour visitation before the service. Burial: Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Ryan, with military rites. Survivors include his wife, Judy; son, Frank (Sara) Wilkins II of Center Point; daughters, Aimee Wilkins of Cedar Rapids and Dawn (John) Nelson of Anamosa; nine grandchildren, Austin, Alyssa, Ashlyn, Alivia, Erin, Kamden, Adrian, James and Travis; and three great-grandchildren, Amara, Grayson and Branson and another one on the way. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ann Marie Wilkins; parents; and four siblings. Frank was born May 21, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of Ralph and Leona (Weitzell) Wilkins. He was in the first graduating class from Jefferson High School, graduating in 1958. Frank attended Kirkwood Community College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964 and rejoined the Army in 1966 until 1974. During that time, he was stationed in the Republic of Vietnam from August 1966 to August 1967 with First Air Calvary. On March 20, 1970, Frank and Judy were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Manchester. Frank worked for Harnischfeger as a machinist. He enjoyed woodworking, the outdoors, fishing, vacations with his family in Minnesota, and most of all, going fishing in Canada. He was a dog lover, an avid reader, and enjoyed war stories and was a history buff. Frank loved his grandchildren and was a huge supporter of his family. Memorials may be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue, 1823 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Please share a memory of Frank at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.