Obit: Louis Charles Wilkens, Jr.

Deceased's name: Louis Charles Wilkens, Jr.

Age: 79

Date: June 3rd, 2012

Hometown: West Islip

Survived by: Children Thomas, of Reston, VA; William, of Holbrook, NY; Kenneth, of Peoria, AZ; and Audrey Crawford, of West Islip; and eight grandchildren.

LOUIS CHARLES WILKENS, JR. ("Lou"), 79, of West Islip, died on Sunday, June 3rd 2012, at home in West Islip from complications of Parkinson's Disease.

Born March 26th, 1933, in Farmingdale, Lou graduated Farmingdale High School in 1951, and served several years of active duty in the US Army in The Republic of Korea, where he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

After leaving the Army, Lou followed in his father's footsteps and became an operating engineer, a member of IUOE 138.  In the mid-60s he co-founded Faber & Wilkens Auto Repair, in Bay Shore, where he remained until he retired in 2003.

In addition to being a skilled woodworker and handyman, Lou had a passion for flying, and eventually became a flight instructor. Many pilots today, both private and commercial, were able to earn their "wings" due to Lou's tutelage.

Lou was predeceased in 2005 by his wife Patricia, to whom he was married 52 years, and by his brother Frank.  He is survived by four children, Thomas, of Reston, Virginia; William, of Holbrook; Kenneth (Marie), of Peoria, Arizona; and Audrey Crawford, of West Islip; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, June 9th, at Babylon United Methodist Church, 21 James Street, Babylon, New York.

Funeral and cremation were arranged by Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Homes.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The United Methodist Church of Babylon, 21 James Street,  Babylon, NY 11702.

Posted courtesy of Thomas Wilkens.