WILKINS, Lark J.

Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, AZ Monday, February 13, 2006 Funeral services for Lark J. Wilkins, 84, of Duncan were conducted Jan. 21, 2006, at the Duncan Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lark was born April 1, 1921, in Franklin, the son of Joseph D. And Clara Ellen Lark Wilkins. He attended the Franklin Elementary School and Duncan High School. Lark was drafted into the Army in 1942. He served with the 9th Infantry Division as a medic. He served in North Africa, Sicily, the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged from the service in 1945. Returning home to Duncan, he began farming. He married Almeda Lunt Jacob-son in 1950. In 1969, he began work for the Greenlee County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator and retired in 1986. Lark volunteered his services to the Duncan High School sports department as a trainer. He was also an avid gardener. Dutch-oven cooking became his speciality, and he participated in Dutch-oven cooking events for more than 45 years. Lark was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in all his callings, but his favorite was as a home teacher. Lark passed away Jan. 17 in Safford. Survivors include his stepson, Ronald J. Jacobson (Jean), step-grandchildren, Lark (Robert) Millward of Gilbert, Major Jon R. Jacobson (Torie Sue) of Arkansas, Laurel (Todd) Weber of North Carolina, Linda (John) Palmer of Texas and Leia (Justin) Layton of Thatcher; 20 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Faye Graham of Oregon and Iona Packer of Pima. He was preceded in death by his wife, Almeda; his parents, Joseph B. and Clara Ellen Lark Wilkins; sisters, Vera Pease and Fern Crum; and two brothers, Ozro and John T. Wilkins.