Audrey Wilken

Mrs. Audrey June Murphy Wilken, 79, of Shady Valley Lane, Claremont, N.C., died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Wednesday evening, April 23, 2008, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C.

She was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Coles County, Ill., to the late Earl James Murphy and Freda Dorothy Bullerman Murphy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Shelia Piercefield; two sisters, Ruth Jones and Redith Henry; and a brother, Lawrence Dale Murphy.

Mrs. Wilken was retired from General Electric where she worked as a maker of light bulbs and enjoyed being a homemaker after retirement.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert J. “Bob” Wilken of the home; two daughters, Paula “P.J.” Spencer and husband Allen of Rhodhiss, N.C., and Lisa Metcalf and husband Lonnie of Centralia, Ill.; three sons, Scott Wilken and wife Tina, and David Wilken, all of Centralia, Ill., and Kevin Wilken of Alton, Ill.; a sister, Patricia Cole and husband Bill of Windsor, Ill.; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Mrs. Wilken will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Marion Poythress officiating.

Mrs. Wilken's grandsons will service as pallbearers.

The obituary may be viewed online at www.mem.com.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Wilken family.