'Mike' Wilson

"MIKE" MELBOURNE WILSON Cedar Rapids "Mike" Melbourne J. Wilson, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial, with military rites: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Survivors include a daughter, Roberta (Scott Dirks) Brandt of Monticello; five grandchildren, Krystal (Michael) Parker, Ben (Erin) Detweiler, David (Wendy), Shawn (Myrna) and Derek Swenson; five great-grandchildren, Everett Parker, Aiden Detweiler, Micaella, Hailey and Shayna Swenson; and his best friend for over 60 years, Bob Kvach. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife-girlfriend of 71 years, Margaret; a daughter, Sheryl Bartlett; a brother, Allen; and a sister, Ione. Mike was born March 2, 1920, in Ricelake, Wis., the son of Edwin and Loretta King Wilson. He married Margaret M. Pafford on June 18, 1943, in Phoenix, Ariz., and they renewed their vows four more times. Mike and Margaret co-owned Wilson Motorcycle Sales in Cedar Rapids for over 28 years and he enjoyed racing motorcycles in his younger years. He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, American Motorcycle Association, the A.M.A. Museum in Pinkerton, Ohio, and the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa. He received the A.M.A. Lifetime Achievement Award and he and Margaret were the first husband and wife to be elected to the Sturgis Hall of Fame. Mike proudly served as a pilot and certified airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of major. At the E.A.A. warbirds banquet in Oshkosh, Wis., he was awarded for being the oldest pilot to fly in the airshow in 2005. Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. Please leave a message or tribute to Mike's family on the Web page, www. cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.