STEPHEN E. WILKINSON

STEPHEN E. WILKINSON, age 36, formerly of Canton, Minnesota died Sunday June 1, 2008 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
    
Stephen was born February 18, 1972 in Bloomfield, Iowa to Harley E. and Betty M. (Neff) Wilkinson.  In 1990 he graduated from the Mabel-Canton High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army where he was in the Special Forces and served in Operation Desert Storm.  He was discharged after being injured at Fort Bragg.  He attended San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico and worked as a pilot and instructor for U.S. Airways.  At the time of his death he was an independent security contractor in Iraq.  He was a member of the Canton American Legion and the Mabel Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Stephen is survived by his parents Harley and Betty of Casa Grande, Arizona; three brothers Craig (Patti) Bush of Monticello, Ill., Brian Wilkinson of Ottumwa, Iowa, and D.J. (Linda) Thommen of Salem, Oregon; a sister Brenda (David) Helgeson of Rochester, Minnesota; paternal grandmother Myrtle Wilkinson of Mabel; a special friend Stacy; a niece; and five nephews.  He was preceded in death by a brother; his maternal grandparents; and his paternal grandfather.

Funeral services will be 1 PM Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, MN with Rev. Neil Westby officiating.  Visitation will be 4 - 7 PM Wednesday at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, and one hour prior to service on Thursday. Memorials are preferred to the Gift of Life Transplant House and may be mailed to: MENGIS FUNERAL HOME, 301 N. MAPLE STREET, MABEL, MN 55954.  Graveside services with Pastor James Wakelin officiating will be at 1:00pm Friday at the Pulaski, Cemetery in Pulaski, Iowa.  Military rites will be performed by Reed Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion in Bloomfield, Iowa.  Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield is in charge of services in Iowa.