Donald Penner 'D.P.' Wilkinson

CURTIS -- Donald Penner "D.P." Wilkinson, 78, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln.

He was born Oct. 30, 1923, to Harry Robert and Bertha Penner Wilkinson of Curtis. He graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in 1941.

After graduation he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year. He entered the Army Air Corp as a radio operator mechanic in the India Burma Theatre. After returning home, he resumed his college education and graduated with a business degree from UNL in 1948.

On Oct. 31, 1949, he married Jeanne Walrath in Lincoln. They made their home in Curtis where he was active in the banking and insurance business for 45 years.

On July 16, 1988, he married Doris Doyle Price.

He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 95, Masonic Lodge of Curtis, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and the United Methodist Church. He was also an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 36 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course in Curtis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Bertha; wives, Jeanne and Doris; one brother, Scott; and sister-in-law, Polly.

Survivors include one son, James Wilkinson and wife, Barbara of Curtis; one daughter, Nancy Wilkinson of Denver, Colo.; one step-daughter, Shirley and husband, Charles Russell of Prospect, Ohio; one step-son, Lieutenant Colonel William Price and wife, Marie of Yorktown, Va.; and two grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Friday, 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Curtis with the Rev. Greg Hall and the Rev. Richard Sykes officiating. A private family inurnment will be held before the service.

Visitation is today until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established in his name.

Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home of Curtis is in charge of arrangements.