John Lynn 'Jack' Wilkins, 78

MILLSBORO - John Lynn "Jack" Wilkins, of Millsboro, passed away Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford after an extended illness. He was 78. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Louise Marvel Wilkins; his daughter Jaclynn and her husband Chris Cordrey; two grandchildren, Ryan Stuart and his wife Amber of Laurel, and Kristi Gamuciello and her husband Bill of Rehoboth Beach; and six great-grandchildren, Reagan, Joseph and William Gamuciello Jr. and Jasmine, Lilly and Jason Stuart. Surviving siblings include his sisters, Dot Hudson of Laurel, Josephine and her husband Paul Littleton of Georgetown, and Norma Nelson of Millsboro, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Wilkins was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lib West; and brother, Mel Wilkins of Georgetown. Jack was born March 28. 1930, the second son of Mary and Floyd T. Wilkins of Georgetown. He graduated from Georgetown High School in l947. Jack entered the Army in 1951, and served as a telephone technician at Ft. Marmouth, N.J. He also served his country on a tour in Germany before his discharge in 1953. After his military service Jack returned to the diamond State Telephone Company as an Installer, retiring in 1983 as a Foreman. In retirement Jack held various jobs including Megee Motors, and Conway Farms. Jack served as a Councilman for the Town of Millsboro from 1998 until his death. Jack was also a member of numerous organizations throughout the years including Charter Member of the Indian River Vol. Fire Co. Past Commander of the Georgetown American Legion Sussex Post 8, Millsboro Lions Club where he was a member of the board of directors and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow. Jack was a Telephone Pioneer's and served on the board of directors for the Diamond State Telephone Credit Union for 10 years. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, and served with the Georgetown and Rehoboth Beach Police Departments. Jack also ran the Ambulance in Georgetown that was and still is operated by the Georgetown American Legion Sussex Post 8. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. Friends may call Monday evening Jan. 19 from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 566 Millsboro, DE; Blood Bank of Delmarva, 100 Hygeia Dr., Newark, De 19713; Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19966; or a organization of choice.