Wilford Leo Wilkes

Wilford Leo Wilkes, 71, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis.

Mr. Wilkes was born May 8, 1938 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of the Naylor Pentecostal Church, and had retired in 1998 from the Gates Rubber Co. Mr. Wilkes enjoyed visiting with people and telling stories.

On Dec. 23, 1976 he married Nelda L. Mitchem in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include 6 children: W. Leo Wilkes, Jr. and wife Terry of Broseley, Michael Wilkes, Jim Cheshire and wife Linda, Rick Cheshire and wife Shirley and Kathy Garrison and husband Charles all of Poplar Bluff and Renee Ridenour and husband Michael of St. Louis; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Wanda Birkhead of Piedmont; and 2 brothers, Ralph Wilkes and wife Pat of Red Bud and Jerry Wilkes and wife Rita of Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Wilkes was preceded in death by his parents, Leland R. and Lora (Urich) Wilkes and 2 sisters, Wilma Hancock and Loretta Baucom.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel with Pastor N. A. Haynes officiating. Burial will be at Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley.