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OSD recognizes longevity of county’s own settlers |
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Friday, June 27 2008 |
By KELLEY SHEISS
for The Post & Mail
The red coats of Old Settler’s were on hand Thursday evening to recognize the achievements of two Whitley County residents.
Mildred Wilkerson registered as the oldest resident and James Wise registered as the individual residing the longest in Whitley County.
Fritz Martin, OSD President, presented Wilkerson with a plaque and recalled her being known as “the egg lady,” delivering eggs to people’s homes. OSD second vice-president Jim Brock fondly remembered Wilkerson delivering chickens to his house when he was just a boy.
Wilkerson was born on September 18, 1911. As of her recognition Thursday, that makes her 96 years, 9 months and 8 days old.
A resident of Thorncreek Township, Wilkerson has resided in the same house since 1949 and still lives on her own.
She has plenty of cats to keep her company, and she also enjoys reading and getting housework done, although she laughed a bit and mentioned she doesn’t get it done like she used to. She attends Thorncreek Bethel Church of God.
Her daughter, Gloria Bankert, brought her to town to register and watched proudly as her mom was bestowed with the honor.
”My mom was an only child, I was an only child, and Gloria is an only child,” said Mildred.
When asked how she planned to celebrate, Mildred said she’d probably just go back home. But, back in the day, Mildred and her husband, John, really enjoyed square dancing.
“I’m proud that the good Lord let me live this long,” said Wilkerson. “If I’d known I was gonna win I wouldn’t have come in and signed up. I really don’t like having my picture taken,” she laughed.
The resident who has made Whitley County his home for the longest is James Wise. He has resided in Whitley County since October 15, 1913.
That’s 85 years, 9 months and 11 days. Wise will be presented with a plaque by OSD representatives at the home of his daughter on Friday. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, June 30 2008 )
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