Howard Allen Wilkison, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and community pillar, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 15, 2020 at Methodist Hospital. He was an active member in the Greensburg Presbyterian Church, president of the Decatur County Park Board, 4-H, and coaching youth sports. He quietly expressed his love for others with his giving heart and infectious smile.
He was born on January 19, 1940 at Rushville Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Indiana to Harold and Mary Alice Wilkison. He grew up in this area and attended Clarksburg Jr./Sr. High with his older sister Marjorie. In his youth, he was active in 4-H and basketball. He was heavily influenced by growing up on a farm and loved gardening, livestock, and being out in nature.
After high school, he attended Ball State Teachers College where he majored in Education and obtained his B.S. He also played basketball for the Cardinals and met his future wife Doreen at Ball State. He earned an M.S. in Education from Indiana University.
He and Doreen Hastings were married on August 8, 1964 in Sisters Lakes Michigan at the Sisters Lakes Community Church and remained together for 56 years.
Howard taught for 44 years for the Greensburg Community School Corporation beginning at Billings Elementary and later Jerman Elementary where he coached basketball for youth leagues.
He sought competition through basketball playing on 3 on 3 Gus Macker Tournaments, AAU tournaments, earning MVP multiple years as well as being competitive in 4-H Hog shows. Howard loved watching the Colts but was especially an avid Pacers fan holding season tickets for many years. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time going to all his grandchildren’s competitions like tennis matches, basketball, and football games. He was thrilled to see them in action and did his best to make every event.
Howard was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Hite Wilkison, his father Harold Wilkison, and is survived by his sister Marjorie (Jack) Wilkison Fadely, wife Doreen Wilkison, daughter Stacey (John) Byerly, son Spencer (Annie) Wilkison, and son Stanford (Stacy) Wilkison, along with seven grandchildren: Miles Wilkison, Drew Byerly, Alexa Wilkison, Melina Wilkison, Reece Byerly, Rylie Wilkison, and Mylie Wilkison.
Howard was very loved and will be sadly missed.
A memorial service will be held on January 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg. Revs. Garrett and Marena Vittorio-Schindler will be officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Greensburg Presbyterian Church on 202 N. Franklin St., Greensburg, Indiana. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com.
