Wilbur George Carpenter

He was born on August 27, 1926 in Dayton, Ohio to the late William Carpenter and Dorothy (Gau) Carpenter.

Wilbur joined the United States Navy and proudly served during WW II in the South Pacific.

He married Mabel (Reed) Bown on May 7, 1949 in Hamilton, Ohio. She preceded him in death on July 21, 2012. They were married for 63 years.

Wilbur retired from Verizon Telephone Company, Coldwater, Michigan in 1983 as facility Supervisor.

He was longtime member of Brookville Masonic Lodge # 596, Brookville, Ohio, and was a member of Stokes Chapel United Methodist Church.

Wilber was a nature lover, and enjoyed being in the woods, and going hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his children, Wanda (Gary) Sparks of Wapakoneta, Ohio, Ronald (Beverly) Carpenter of Noblesville, Indiana, Don (Cindy) Carpenter of Coldwater, Michigan and John (Sheri) Carpenter of Tallahassee, Florida, twelve grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Irene Hurst of North Carolina.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Vancey “Butch” Bown, and a grandson, Joe Sparks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Stokes Chapel United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Private burial with Military Honors will be at Knauss Cemetery, Kinderhook Township, Michigan.