Blanche Wilkey - Manila

Blanche Wilkey, 96, of Manila, the widow of Charles Wilkey, died Monday at the Osceola Healthcare Center.

Born in St. Charles, Ill., she was the daughter of the late James and Nancy Langley Vernor. She has been a lifelong Manila area resident and a member of the First Assembly of God in Manila.

Survivors include five sons, Leonard Whitehead of Manila, Marvin Whitehead of Wayland, Mich., Junior Whitehead of Leachville, Charles "Nick" Wilkey of Bradford and Windell Wilkey of Jonesboro; eight daughters, Hazel Marie Gamble of Osceola, Earline Hicks of Bowling Green, Ky., Jerline McDowell of Manila, Mary Kis of Blytheville, Bertha McCormick of Manila, Glenda Johnson of Manila, Barbara Warren of Potosi, Mo., and Linda Brewer of Manila; 41 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Pauline Jones; a son, Glen Wilkey; and a step-daughter, Nellie Stone.

The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Assembly of God Church in Manila with Rev. Curtis Warren and Rev. James Chipman officiating. Burial was in the Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral service of Manila.

Grandsons served as active pallbearers.